Residents, mostly in the eastern end of Anguilla, and relatives from St. Martin/ Maarten, came together as one big family to celebrate the 90th birthday of Margaret Susanna Ruan of The White Hill. The special seaside event was held on Sunday, March 18, at Greta’s Place at Island Harbour Bay.
It was a delightful afternoon under a roomy tent with attractively decorated and covered tables and chairs, offset by a near-tranquil sea; a line of colourful balloons bobbing in the inshore water; and occasional light sprays against the sea rocks – a far cry from the recent stormy waves. The refreshing sea breeze and the welcome shade of the tent were a Godsend on a hot day, lending further delight to the occasion.
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The celebration was chaired by Mr. Timothy Hodge who had just arrived from a preaching appointment at the nearby Hilltop Baptist Church. The opening prayer was delivered by Pastor Trent Berg of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in recognition of the birthday celebrant’s frequent attendance at the Mount Fortune Church with family members. It was her third association with different churches, over the weekend, including her own St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on the Sunday morning where she first celebrated her birthday and where the preacher was Rev. Menes Hodge.
Biographical notes were fittingly read by her nephew, Mr. Clive Smith Jr, a Senior Social Development Officer with responsibility for the elderly. “Margaret Susanna Ruan was born on March 19, 1928,” he stated. “She is the last [and only survivor] of eight children of the late Marie Smith and the late Emmanuel Vanterpool.”
Called “Aunt Muggie” and “Ga”, she is the mother of two off-springs from other relationships: Mrs. Grendolyn Smith of Anguilla and Mr. Albert Chance, of French St. Martin.
Her nephew described “Aunt Muggie” as a former running race competitor against the late Daisy “Wong” Richardson and others; and a former cook “for Anguilla’s old time weddings and jollifications”.
Nephew Clive Smith continued: “Then there were the concerts. Ga was a member of the ‘Hoky Poky girls’…They performed in costumes made from paper bags. There were paper bag skirts, cardboard hats and other costumes. The concerts were linked to the church’s year-end concerts, in the old East End School, a source of entertainment for Anguilla as a whole. Ga is known for her dancing. She won many dance competitions. Her closest rival was Maude Richardson or ‘short bread.’”
Several persons paid tribute to the 90-year-old Anguillian citizen. Among them were: the Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, and Ministerial Assistant in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool.
By her continuing longevity, “Aunt Muggie” has bridged three Anguillian generations – a proud achievement both for her and her large circle of family members and friends.
