Francine Joubert turns 100 |15 July 2014

Born on the July 12, 1914, Praslinois Francine Joubert, born Victor, celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday July 12, 2014.

According to the Seychelles News Agency, the Grand Anse Praslin district authorities, church representatives, families and friends hosted Mrs Joubert to a garden birthday party to celebrate the occasion.

Mrs Joubert is a widow and has never had any children. But despite not having her own children, she has raised several adopted children, including her niece, Mary Cany, who was among the proudest at the ceremony.

“We are so pleased that she is still with us. Our children and grand children have been raised by her,” said Ms Cany who lives close to Mrs Joubert.

She added that Mrs Joubert still does everything by herself, including cleaning, cooking and washing. She also sweeps her own yard although she is now starting to use a cane for support.

When asked if she wishes to live to blow out more candles, Mrs Joubert replied: “God knows if I will live to be 100 years only. But if He keeps me here I will be happy.”

Commonly known as ‘Marenn’, Mrs Joubert is well known for her stories on the history of her district Grand Anse Praslin. She is also one of the pillars of the Mother’s Union, an organisation for women in the Anglican Church, of which she has been a member since she was in her twenties.