“Will you be having a party for my 100th Birthday?” Mrs. Miriam D. Hodge asked her ever-caring daughter, Dr. Rona Hodge. Told in the affirmative, the beloved and dignified centenarian replied: “I want the whole of West End to be there.”
Almost all of the residents, as well as others from Long Bay, the adjoining village, might have been at the birthday party on Monday, September 6, 2021. But the celebration event was moved from the nearby Paradise Cove, where it would have been bigger, to the family’s home, just up the road. The change was due to the COVID-19 protocols which only allowed a gathering of 25 persons – a good fit for the family’s private space.
Three of Mrs. Hodge’s children and a number of grandchildren, mainly from the United States, were in attendance – and were introduced to Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam. The Governor, accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, was there to present a special birthday card from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, and a birthday cake from her Office.
The centenarian’s own birthday cake was most conspicuous on a table bedecked by various bouquets of flowers. “Your cake is beautiful. Gosh it’s stunning,” the Governor commented, “and pink is your favourite colour, I take it?”
“Yes, thank you,” Mrs. Hodge responded.
“How does it feel to be 100?” the Governor inquired of her.
“Oh, there are just the aches and pains, but you can’t let them keep you down. I am thankful and blessed,” the centenarian laughed. “Am I not thankful to be a hundred years old? Of course, I am.”
“And you are looking wonderful,” the Governor added.
Asked what message the Queen was conveying to Mrs. Hodge, and other centenarians who had also received birthday cards from Buckingham Palace, Governor Daniel Selvaratnam told The Anguillian newspaper: “It is a personal message to the centenarians by the Queen. But I think it is important from her perspective in terms of marking such a momentous occasion. It also recognises over their lifetime, the contributions they may have made in terms of their families, their communities and the support that they had provided.
“Were it not been for their sacrifices – all persons like Mrs. Hodge – it would not have been possible for all of us to stand on their shoulders. So I think it is important to honour that, and to celebrate all they had done in their lives to assist their families, future generations and the world community. It is really important and is such a blessing – as well as a chance to give thanks.”
Mrs. Hodge was also the recipient of a birthday card and EC$500 from the Anguilla Social Security Board. The presentation was made by the Director, Dr. Timothy Hodge, and the Deputy Director, Dr. Maglan Richardson.
Asked what the secret of her longevity was, Mrs. Hodge, known for her strong and affirmative manner of speaking, said: “It is having faith and trust in God. The road is not always easy, but with faith and trust you can continue on. That’s how I have been living.”
Mrs. Hodge was an outstanding church and community leader. She served as a Sunday School Teacher; Class Leader; Women’s League President; and was a Member of the Anguilla Public Service Commission for many years.
Her husband, the late Eldred Hodge, was a popular boatman. He owned The Norma which served the dual purpose of a fishing boat and a racing boat. The couple had five children of whom four are alive. They are Shirley, Rona, Norma (who was unable to come to Anguilla for the celebration) and Vandyke. The family raised two other children: Shermaine and Paulette. There are also a number of grandchildren and other close relatives.
The birthday celebration included a short service with a homily by Rev. Wilmoth Hodge who spoke about the virtuous women found in the book of Proverbs; the singing of several of Mrs. Hodge’s favourite hymns; and tributes by her children, grandchildren and other persons.
The extended celebration for the centenarian was conducted by her daughter, Dr. Rona Hodge, a physician and surgeon at Hughes Medical Centre.
Meanwhile, the oldest centenarian in Anguilla is Mrs. Ursula Connor of South Hill who recently turned 108. Another Anguillian, Eileen Fleming, of Mount Fortune, who lives outside the island, celebrated 100 years several days ago.
