Theresia Flore celebrates her 100th birthday |14 April 2022
Seychelles’ newest centenarian Theresia Flore
Theresia Flore known as ‘Manman Sansonn’, a resident of Beau Vallon, celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday afternoon, becoming Seychelles’ newest centenarian.
To mark the auspicious occasion, a short ceremony and lunch was organised for her at the Tamassa Lounge and Seafood Restaurant at Eden Plaza and it was attended by her son, his children, her sister, nieces and nephews.
For the occasion Ms Flore was gifted with various hampers and bouquets of flowers from the President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan, principal secretary for local government and community affairs Kevin Perrine,John Hoareau, member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Beau Vallon,MNA for Bel Ombre Sandy Arissol, district administrator and the elderly and disabled persons division of the family department as well as from members of her family.
Born on April 13, 1922, Ms Flore, who never married,has only one son, Davidson Flore with whom she is currently living, one granddaughterSamantha Benjamin and one great grandson, Sandro Moses.
The centenarian had in total 13 siblings but only three of them are still alive. She also had a twin sister who passed away more than 10 years ago.
In her younger days, Theresia Flore used to work mainly as a washing lady at the Fiennes Institute but before that she worked on the islands for a while before she had her son.
“My grandmother is still very strong and eats everything including chocolate, yogurt and other snacks. She also still enjoys watching the news and listening to the radio,” her granddaughter Samantha Benjamin said.
The granddaughter described her grandmother as sharp-witted and stubborn.
Her birthday celebrations yesterday started with a short thanksgiving service followed by the cutting of the birthday cake and a few words from her family members.
Her son Davidson Flore said he is very happy his mother has reached this age and that every day he wondered if she would make it. He said they faced many challenges as he was advised to place his mother in a nursing home as he was told that beinga man he could not take care of her.
Davidson Flore said he refused and with the help of a carer,took care of his mother who is confined to a wheelchair.
Marla Simeon
