As Barbara Joan Mitchell celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday, February 5, she expressed great joy at reaching that milestone, saying: “I feel great, I feel powerful, I feel like I can do anything, …thankful to be alive”.
Mrs. Mitchell marked the occasion with a gathering of family and friends at her Warners, Christ Church, home. The President, His Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel, The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, was one of her specially invited guests.
The centenarian’s daughter, Jannese Mitchell Allen, shared that her mother demonstrated determination and kindness throughout her life. Ms. Mitchell Allen stated that her mother taught her that “when things are hard, when things are difficult, when things may be excruciating, you press through”.
She spoke about her mother’s kindness, humility and willingness to share, even during difficult times.
In a tribute to his grandmother, Christian Allen shared that she showed her love through food. She was known for always packing coconut bread, flying fish and Tiger Malt when travelling to the United States.
Speaking to his gran, whom he affectionately calls “Mimo”, he said: “You always cooked with your heart and soul…, not only did it fill your stomach, it always seemed to fill your heart as well.”
One of her great-nephews, well-known political scientist Peter Wickham, highlighted her faith, organisational skills and strength as three of her attributes. He noted that Mrs. Mitchell has “a strong relationship with God, which is central to her”.
He highlighted her inner strength and resilience as she cared for her mother and husband Carl A. Mitchell, while managing the Pelican Restaurant in Bridgetown.
Mrs. Mitchell is the last surviving child of well-known Barbadian journalist Clennell Wickham. Her aunt, Barbara Wickham, was also a centenarian.
Raised in Government Hill, St. Michael, she attended The St. Michael Girls’ School and worked, for a time, at the Central Labour Board, an arm of the British Government, in Washington D.C., as a clerical officer.
She moved back to Barbados and ran the family-owned business, the Pelican Restaurant until 2000.
Formerly a Catholic, Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the Spiritual Life Centre of Barbados and enjoys bridge, Sudoku and being with friends and family. Her favourite foods include flying fish, king fish and coconut bread while her favourite colour is yellow.
President Bostic presented Mrs. Mitchell with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a greeting card. He expressed the hope that younger Barbadians would take the opportunity to learn from Mrs. Mitchell and other centenarians and “be inspired to walk the right path and do the right things”.
Mrs. Mitchell has one biological daughter, two stepchildren, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
