Conselile thanks God for a full life

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Ninety-one-year-old Conselile Fogo is grateful to God for keeping her alive through the years.

Born in November 1920, the senior citizen, originally from Cornwall Mountain in Westmoreland, has made Roaring River her home for more than 60 years.

"I am giving thanks to God," she said,."He is the one that has been keeping my life."

Fogo cannot recall everything about her past life, but does remember that she attended the elementary school, and became a farmer after she left. She would make the daily trek from Roaring River to Savanna-la-Mar to sell her produce.

"Dem days is barefoot. We didn't know about vehicle and I never have shoes," she said. "So every time me come back, me have to 'sap' (soak) me foot."

Nor was there any refrigerator, so "fish kind (meat)" had to be preserved a special way.

She very vividly remembers her husband and her married life, Fogo said he was "very nice" and treated her "very good".

The elderly woman gave birth to 10 children - two of whom have died.

Fogo is still mobile and is a long-standing member of the Holiness Church in the community.

She said the difference between Jamaica today and Jamaica of her time was that there were not many killings. Fogo said whenever someone was murdered then, it would be a shock. She noted that ironically if a day passes now and someone is not killed, that is the biggest shock for the country.

How has she managed to live so long?

"Jehovah God keep me," she concluded.