Sun | Jun 28, 2026

Simply fabulous at 90

Published:Friday | June 27, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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From left: Faith, Michael and Heather Williamson smile for the camera at their mother Winnifred Williamson's (Miss Winnie) 90th birthday party in Robin's Hall, Manchester, on Saturday, June 14. - photos by Barbara Ellington
Family members help grandma Winnifred Williamson (third right) to cut her birthday cake. (From left) Michael Williamson, son; Steven, Christina Williamson, and Jhenelle Ricketts - grandchildren; and John-Michael Williamson, great grandson.
Birthday celebrant Winnifred Williamson (second right), and her sisters from left: Ena Stewart, Estelle Campbell and M. Audrey Hinchcliffe, make memories on her 90th birthday.
Birthday girl Winnifred Williamson replies to the many toasts and tributes in song and dance at her June 14 birthday party.
Budding drummers Matthew Hinchcliffe (left), great grandnephew of the birthday celebrant, and his friend, Matthew, play the drums for her.
Children from the Robin's Hall Basic School perform a suite of folk songs for Winnifred Williamson.
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Barbara Ellington, Public Affairs Editor

It must be a great feeling when you attain the mammoth milestone of 90 years old, have all your faculties functioning and are enjoying excellent health. That is the happy state in which Winnifred Williamson (affectionately called Miss Winnie) finds herself. And on Saturday, June 14, family members, past students, friends and almost the entire community gathered at her residence in Robin's Hall, Manchester, to celebrate with her.

The formalities were chaired by Williamson's baby sister M. Audrey Hinchcliffe of Manpower and Maintenance Services and organised by her children Michael, Heather, and Faith Williamson. Her grand- and great-grandchildren were also present.

Tributes were many, and their sentiments concurred. From the church pastor to the past students and her best friend, and in the words of the songs from the basic school children and church brethren, Miss Winnie's contribution to the thousands whose lives she had touched during her 90 years was well appreciated.

Musical selections were aplenty and those delivered by Maurice Henry and Tommy White were particularly enjoyable.

Throughout her life, Miss Winnie has been a role model in every positive sense of the word. She is a tower of strength, dedicated church member and elder, outstanding community leader, mentor to many, loyal friend, loving and devoted sister, and teacher par excellence.

And, to her children, Miss Winnie is "a mother who always trusted God's plan for her. She maintains an attitude of gratitude, a mother who is always there for her children and a woman who, since her birth in 1924, has remained simply fabulous," said her daughter Faith Williamson who spoke on behalf of the children.

In her reply, Miss Winnie thanked everyone for putting on the lavish celebration for her, and echoing everyone's sentiments, said," I feel very good proud to be 90; life has not been a bed of roses, but I have learnt to depend on the Almighty and, as the first of nine children, today I am a very proud 90-year-old."

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com