90 not out for Mama Zerry

Mama Zerry is 90 and has lived a full life. It is not surprising that everyone wants to sit at her feet with rapt attention to hear her stories. Her eight-year-old great-granddaughter Kerry is no exception and Mama's colourful, "Is not the clothes is the smaddy inna di clothes," causes her some amusement. Watching them interact you would never believe that more than 80 years separates the two.

Born Elgita Zarina Bromfield in Top Hill, St Elizabeth, to Edith and Cedric Bromfield, Mama recalls that she was a 'premie'. She explains that there was no incubator so the Nana kept her in a pillow case, wiped and anointed her daily with castor oil. Her mother refused to breastfeed because she did not believe that her baby would have survived. Ninety years, a deceased husband, three children, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren later, she's still healthy and hearty.

Paraded for relatives

She remembers growing up in the hills of St Elizabeth and insists that her "navel string is planted under a coconut tree" on the property. Her children would wake up 'before daylight' to the smell of corned beef sandwiches, fried chicken, Mama's toto and sweet potato pudding as they got ready for long journeys. The cars were jammed with clothes, food, shoes, relatives and anything Mama believed could help her family. She would quietly push money in your palm saying "what cock hab, him give his wife".

On visits to St Elizabeth, we would be paraded from relative to relative. There were family members who could not speak or hear and were warmly referred to as the "Dummy". We communicated through sign language and hugged and kissed throughout the day. Mama Zerry taught us that love has many languages.

But Mama was a rebel from birth. She had spurned the traditions of intermarriage sustained by her Jewish ancestry. She recounts that her only love was this tall, dark, handsome man dressed to kill with his hat, tailored pants and boots. Jervis Oakley wooed her with tender words and seduced her with promises. At 15, she was married and pregnant. At 20, she had three boys. Jervis kept his courtship promises for more that 50 years, they were married until he died.

Now 90, Mama Zerry is the kindest and most intelligent woman I have ever met. We all gathered to mark yet another milestone with her recently. Her calm wisdom is only matched by her love for people. "God nuh love ugly," is a favourite saying of hers and we all strive to live the lessons she has taught.

- Contributed by granddaughter Dr Layne Oakley Williams, JP