Grannie Burrowes dies

Written by, Saturday, 25 May 2013 00:14, Source

NINE months after joining the ranks of Guyana’s most treasured centenarians, Ms. Stella Burrowes, who turned 100 on September 8, last, has gone to the ‘great beyond’.

Mrs. Stella Burrowes at her 100th Birthday celebration at Cara Lodge

Moms, or ‘Auntie Stella’, as she was affectionately called by the many whose lives she’d touched in her time, was born on  September 8, 1812, and died last Friday, May 17, following a brief  period of illness.

Her grieving grand-daughter Marcia, who cared for her at her Gordon Street Kitty home, said her mom complained of feeling unwell earlier in the day and breathed her last around 21:45 hrs as they were preparing to take her to hospital.

Born in Sandy Babb Street, she continued to live there and later moved to Gordon Street where she spent the rest of her life.   A mother of 13 children, 8 of whom are alive; she was also the grandmother of Mr. Keith Burrowes, Chairman of the GNNL Board of Directors, and Director of Go-Invest, and 44 others.

Stella was the pride and joy of her extended family, and when Moms turned 100, the family hosted a prestigious birthday celebration in her honour at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street.  That occasion brought together, relatives from within and without Guyana, and the family had a really good time together, as she sang for them and  reflected on the memorable moments of her life.

The centenarian, on that occasion,  thanked God  for sparing her life, keeping her in good health, and causing her to see her 100th birthday.

“Today, I am happy that God has blessed me and caused me to see 100. I feel strong in body.”

And urging the family to continue to live in love and unity, her exhortation to her children -- and grandchildren especially, on that day, was: “Live always in the fear and love of the Lord. Be good citizens, go resolutely after education; education is power, and knowledge is the key. Plan your work and work your plan. Be independent.”

A staunch member of the Anglican Church, she attended the St. James-the-Less Church, and in her final days, when she could no longer move around,   her Parish Priest and Parish Lay Assistants would visit her home to share the Word with her and give her Holy Communion.

Mrs. Stella Burrowes will be buried at the St. James-the-Less Church yard on Tuesday May 28, following a thanksgiving Service for her life in the church.