The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services is pleased to welcome Ms. Julia Mills-Anderson and Ms. Christine Tyson to the illustrious centenarian club.
Ms. Mills-Anderson and Ms. Roach officially marked their 100th birthdays on June 18th and 19th, 2024, respectively.
“Have an attitude of gratitude,” says Ms. Tyson.
Gold, black, and white were the theme colours for Ms. Tyson’s celebration, held on June 22nd, 2024, at Queen’s Royal College, Port of Spain. Ms. Tyson, or “Chris” as she is fondly called, credits her longevity to trusting in God and maintaining an attitude of gratitude. The mother of eleven (11) further believes that family is everything, a sentiment evident from the massive turnout at her celebration, which included several of her thirty (30) grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
The former student teacher and evening news reporter also met her husband at a job interview in 1959. They were married for fifty-seven (57) years until his passing in 2016.
“Life is my favourite memory,” says Ms. Mills-Anderson.
Ms. Julia Mills-Anderson also celebrated her birthday with a gold and white themed event held at the JRD Convention Centre in Princes Town. The new centenarian credits her longevity to hard work, taking care of herself and others, and adds that she is proud to celebrate her 100th birthday with her nine (9) children. The former seamstress is also the grandmother of thirty-nine (39), great-grandmother of forty-two (42), and great-great-grandmother of one (1).
Ms. Mills-Anderson also reflected on witnessing the most devastating event she has seen: “9/11. I was vacating Trinidad and had to return to Philadelphia via New York. Seeing the destruction from 25,000 feet in the air was a very impactful moment,” she said.
She also shared how she met her husband: “I met my husband Fedo Mills through his sister, Lotte Mills. His sister and I were friends. We were married for thirty-seven (37) years until Fedo passed away on February 25, 1975. Together, we have nine (9) children, thirty-nine (39) grandchildren, forty-two (42) great-grandchildren, and one (1) great-great-grandchild.”
Ms. Julia Mills-Anderson and Ms. Christine Tyson were visited by Ms. Crystal Felix, Inspector II and Mr. Anderson Cyrus, Inspector I, both of the Ministry’s Division of Ageing, who extended congratulations on behalf of the Minister, Senator Donna Cox. Both centenarians were presented with a Certificate of Honour and Achievement in recognition of their valuable contributions to Trinidad and Tobago as well as a birthday cake courtesy of the Kiss Baking Company, and food hampers.
To register for the National Centenarian Programme, please visit the Ministry’s website at www.social.gov.tt to complete the online form. For more information, persons may contact the Division of Aging at 623 – 2608; Ext 2001 to 2009, or 800-OPIC (6742).
