Lilian Hackett was born in the parish of
St. Andrew, the fifth of six children born to Millicent Forde and Ellet
King.
As an adult, Lilian resided in Welchman
Hall, St. Thomas, and was an agricultural labourer at several plantations in
the parish. Although she never married,
Lilian had five children and raised them as a single parent.
Her children fondly recalled their mother
as a strict disciplinarian who “spared not the rod” for her own children but
any child who crossed her path.
Lilian who led an active lifestyle had a
healthy appetite. Her diet consisted of vegetables, meat, fish and ground
provisions along with “bush tea”.
When she was well into her 80’s, she still
walked from the bus stand opposite Pelican Village on Harbour Road, to the
Queen Elizabeth Hospital visiting the sick as well as running errands in
Bridgetown as necessary.
She was a committed worshipper at Emmanuel
Pentecostal Church, in Vault Road, St Thomas.