Kathleen Headley of Norton Street, Werk-en-Rust celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
Kathleen, who is fondly known as ‘Nen’, was born on October 15, 1914 to farmers Rebecca Elizabeth Arthur-Norton and Lionel Theophillus Norton at New Supply, East Bank Demerara. Kathleen was the eldest of six siblings, four of whom were girls. Today Kathleen and her sister Lynette Eloise Norton-Arthur-Francis are the two surviving siblings, she told Stabroek News.
The spunky centenarian recalled that she was educated at the Canadian Missionary Primary School, Demerara River where holidays were in July and schooling took place during August. She started pre-school at age five and continued up to Sixth Standard. After leaving school, Kathleen worked in Linden, first as a nanny with the Saddler-Brown family who were Canadians. She was an active member of Cephas Congregational Church at Low Wood and remains so today where she fellowships at Smith’s Congregational Church.
Kathleen married James Forde and became a stepmother to his son Victor Forde, who is now deceased. She also continued to be a big sister/mother to her sister Lynette whom she cared for from the time she was weaned. Kathleen was delighted to be a housewife and took care of all her younger relatives from both sides of the family. She is proud that they all turned out well and became productive citizens of society noting that there is a lieutenant colonel, several teachers, nurses, lawyers and doctors among them as well as “good husbands and wives.”
James Forde died on September 3, 1946. Kathleen noted that this started a new chapter in her life bringing about many changes including, ushering her back into the world of work. Some time later, she remarried and started an adventurous life with her new husband Albon Headley which included three trips to London, UK, along with visits to the USA, Canada and Barbados where Lynette now resides after working in the UK for a number of years. Albon Headley died on August 9, 1995.
Since then, she has focused on her family, neighbours and church. A fire displaced her in 1992 forcing her to rebuild. Kathleen said neighbours were always kind to her especially Carmen Padmore of Bourda Market, Nigel of Nigel’s Supermarket and the late Marshalls.
Though she remains strong and makes her own breakfast, does her own washing and shopping Kathleen is being cared for by her sister Lynette, daughter-in-law Jean, children and grandchildren. She is grateful to all of them, she said, but most of all she praised “the Almighty God who giveth health and strength.” She continues to be a regular worshipper at church, except when it rains as she walks to and from the location. She enjoys travelling, meeting people, cooking and cleaning, as she believes an active lifestyle keeps the body healthy. Kathleen said one virtue she advises young people to adopt is respect. “Good manners takes you through the world,” she said, adding that persons must have self-respect and respect for others.
