Mrs Carmen Ethelda Proctor, of The Quarter, is the product of a considerably large family originally from Island Harbour. And, in the course of her own life she, too, has produced a big household and is regarded as its family matriarch.
Mrs Proctor’s family home, jointly headed by she and her husband, Mr Cyril Proctor, was a scene of much jubilation on Sunday, August 10, in celebration of her 80th Birthday – a milestone she is grateful to have reached.
A strict disciplinarian, steeped in the best traditions of Anguilla, she came from a parental home of eleven children whose parents were the late sea captain, Mr Randolph Webster, who died in August 1979 at the age of 78 years; and Mrs Melvina Webster, who died in May 2011 at the age of 104 years.
The grand birthday celebrant is the mother of nine children, seventeen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Together, along with other relatives and friends, they crowded the modest family home where they were served sumptuously.
For Mrs Proctor it was a special time for thanksgiving. “I am thankful to God for sparing my life to reach eighty years,” she said. “I am thankful to Him at this time of my life. My children are all grown. I am so proud to see them as I laboured from day to day, over the years, to bring them up and now they have immediate families of their own. I tried my best to send them to school to study and to make something of themselves.”
Her supportive 78-year-old husband chimed in: “I thank God to see that the time has come when I can enjoy myself and to see my children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren,” he stated.
The couple have every right to be proud of their children and grandchildren in particular mainly because of their contribution to the Anguillian community as well as outside the island. Some of the children became school teachers and several of the grandchildren are doing exceptionally well. Of the grandchildren, Romez Webster is the IT Manager at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa; Melissa Meade is the Director of Disaster Management; Rhina Meade is a Research Officer, Tourism; Rechelle Meade is an upcoming local, regional and international athlete; and Denise Webster-Proctor is an Officer in the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
Many of the family members joined in expressions of gratitude and love for their matriarch during the special birthday party event.
