Bel Air’s oldest citizen honoured as she turns 100 |16 July 2009

She has lived on Roch Lane, Bel Air, for the past 17 years and is the fifth of nine children. Though she has no children of her own, she has helped to bring up several adopted children, with Nelson and Nadia Adrienne being the two closest to her.

Mrs Pilatte spent most of her working life as a laundrywoman and collecting cinnamon bark. Now she lives alone and has a carer who attends to her for three hours a day. She suffers from pains brought on by old age and respiratory problems but can still walk about her house.

On the day before her birthday, a special mass was held at her home, celebrated by Father Edwin Mathiot. And on the day itself a number of guests were present to celebrate with her.

These included government representatives such as Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton, director general for community development Dan Frichot, district administrator Keven Hoareau and other staff from the department.

And apart from friends and neighbours, there were also people from district groups such as senior citizens, the disabled support group and neighbourhood recreational activities.

Mr Hoareau presented Mrs Pilatte with a shield and said it was an honour for Bel Air to have a centenarian in their midst.

And after cutting her cake and sipping champagne, Mrs Pilatte said although she is starting to feel the years weighing on her, she is very happy to have reached 100.