(Trinidad Express) A 109-year-old woman passed away peacefully at her home in Belmont last month.
Her name was Anora Gladdis Trotman-Fraser – singer, dancer and devout Christian.
Trotman-Fraser had no formal education but she could read and write. She was not a public figure, nor was she publicly recognised for greatness.
But to those whose lives were touched by this simple woman from Port-of-Spain, her memory will live on forever.
This is the story of Trotman-Fraser.
She was born at the Colonial Hospital, now Port-of-Spain General Hospital, and outlived all of her six siblings.
Her mother passed away at age 101.
Her great grand daughter, Gerel Baptiste, said Trotman-Fraser lived “in and around” Port-of-Spain all her life.
“She lived in and around POS some places, to name a few are Que Place, Argle St. Minachy Alley , Carr St, and then Upper St Barbs Road, Belmont where she remained until her death,” she said.
As a child, Trotman-Fraser loved learning. She was home-schooled by her aunt, a retired school teacher, and then enrolled at the Quarry Street School. She then moved to the Piccadilly Girls School, where she reached Standard Six.
“She wasn’t afforded the opportunity to attend any formal high school but was quite exceptional in Arithmetic & Spelling. Back then if you weren’t in school the next best thing was to learn a trade. She tried many but liked none until she was introduced to word of theatre and performing arts,” Baptiste said.
It was in theatre and arts Trotman-Fraser found her passion, singing, dancing and acting.
Her performances at the old Princes Building Grounds were impeccable, relatives recalled.
Baptiste recalled how in her late years, Trotman-Fraser would boast of how she performed to sold-out crowds and how young men would climb the trees outside to get a glimpse of her performances.
Her favourite dances, however, were ballroom dancing and the waltz.
Trotman-Fraser was married to Clifford Fraser, who is now deceased.
Baptiste said, “She bore no children for her husband but was the devoted mother of Randolph Lewis (deceased) and her lone surviving daughter, Barbara Baptiste.”
Growing up with “Granny”, as she was fondly called, was “a great experience”, she said.
Baptiste said her great grandmother told stories about riding in tram cars and the trolley bus and taking a taxi for six cents.
She said Trotman-Fraser lived a simple life and was already ready to give advice to anyone in need.
“She had an abundance of love for anyone and was 100 per cent dedicated to God. She always said, God first then her family came next. She was a woman of faith and a firm believer in prayer. Her love for singing never left her even up to her last days as she spent many hours at nights singing religious hymns,” she recalled.
Trotman-Fraser worked as a maid, cook and other domestic jobs. She was never ashamed of her employment, relatives said, as these were all honest jobs to provide for her family.
The woman had no ailments.
In her last days, Baptiste said, Trotman-Fraser would spend her time praising God and singing hymns.
She wanted to leave behind something, relatives said, to keep them on the right path. Trotman-Fraser asked them to write it down.
She said, “The advice I give to young people is to have love, love for each and every one, and believe in the Holy Spirit of Jesus. Live well with your fellow creature and have respect for each and every one. Give them peace within themselves. Let them believe in the true and living God. That’s the way. Respect and behaviour for their fellow creatures and the Lord will bless them eternally.”
This was her secret, relatives said, to finding happiness in her simple, long life.
Trotman-Fraser passed away on September 15, surrounded by her 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 17 great great grandchildren.
