Violet still blooms at 101

She likes pink, the traditional colour of health. She believes that life is meant to be lived, not easy, but fully enjoying God’s gifts. Her first name given to her on her birth day is a mixture of pink (red) and blue. She is Violet Patrick, born between the World Wars on May 1, 1921.

On that May Day, she was born in Gasparillo, the sixth of seven children, now the last survivor of her family. Primary level schooling and home formation enabled her to work as a clerk at the Public Transport Service Corporation in her younger years. Then she began farming and segued into gardening, during which she produced flowers for her Altar Society decor duties.

Violet also served in the Legion of Mary and visited the Sick with Communion until the age of 95.

Her time at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Curepe began when she moved to the area upon marriage. Her three children, all living abroad now, returned to T&T for a surprise visit for her century-plus birthday.

Joseph, Isaac ‘Shallay’, and Michele, along with a couple grandchildren, serenaded their Mum (and Granny) at the Montrose Home for the Aged, where she has lived since May 2018. Before that, she was a stately figure in the front row at church since 1974.

On her birthday, her nephew Keith Patrick arranged for her to receive Holy Communion. What a blessing she savoured!

Although a bit forgetful now at 101 years old, Violet responds eagerly to Marian hymns and the favourite ‘Walk with me, Oh my Lord’. She recalls all the verses.

God is good all the time, she believes, and she encourages everyone to start the day with prayer and faith in God, who will give you strength to do what is necessary. She counsels that being anxious, angry, and overthinking isn’t worth it. God is already there, she asserts. Be happy, time goes by so fast.

To the youth and young adults, Aunty Violet insists that ‘God is watching every step’. Her formula for long life: rise in the morning, pray, smile with the sun, don’t worry about a thing.

Sometimes you’re happy, other times, it’s rough, but with every up and down, you learn lessons that make you strong. She concludes that, “Faith and prayer will carry you!”

The community of Our Lady of Fatima RC, Curepe celebrates this icon of faith and fortitude, Violet Patrick. —OLF Curepe Communications Ministry