Recalling a life lived humbly

By Utamu Belle

They say that knowledge teaches wisdom, and age also comes along with it; for 101-year-old Agatha Campbell, wisdom comes naturally.
Born to Rosaline and Charles Jones, on Sept 19, 1911, “Miss Gathy” or “Mother Gathy”, as she is often called by persons living in her Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden community, is the lone survivor of a family of eight brothers and one sister.
Despite the fact that her memory is now failing due to Alzheimer’s disease, Miss Gathy reflected in an interview on the years gone by, memories imprinted in her eyes as she related that she was born at Dalgin, down the Demerara River, where she grew up with her parents and siblings while attending the Dalgin primary and secondary schools.
Some of her fondest memories of the time include playing cricket and rounders with her friends in the school yard, which she recalled with a hearty laugh.
Later on she moved to Linden where she married the love of her life, Lennard Campbell, and gave birth to four children. Miss Gathy would spend her days as a housewife before the tragic death of her husband in 1969.
With memories of that tragic day so painful even today, she refused to talk about it. It would be her son Lincoln, with whom she lives along with another son and grandson, who would recall that heart-rending day.
Lincoln related that Miss Gathy and their father were travelling from Linden to Georgetown when they were involved in an accident, during which their father was killed instantly. This, he noted, changed the course of their lives, for the heartbreak of Miss Gathy losing her husband and they, a father, remains stamped in their memories 43 years later.
He also related her motherly guidance, noting he could remember that while he was growing up, his mother was a very strict and honest parent.
“If we went out, we would have to be home early and at a certain time because she never liked it when we came home late; we had to be indoors at a certain time; mommy was really strict with us

“…She really liked dancing; in those days it was the step dance that was in style,” he also reminisced, revealing her fun side.
He remembered too, the advice she gave to him and the other children: “…she would tell us to keep out of trouble, not to get into fights and those things.”
Miss Gathy’s family is now in its fourth generation, with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom, she noted with a smile and care in her eyes, she adores very much.
On a typical day Miss Gathy could be found sometimes relaxing on the veranda of her home, looking across towards the Demerara River, or sometimes in the yard, tending her garden.
“I don’t make fun to plant, I love my garden. I plant mostly lilies – as you can see them in the yard. I really like them; whenever I have a lot I would give some to my friends. I prefer to plant the flowers because I think I’m too old now to plant vegetables. I would only plant flowering plants, I love the flowers,” she revealed.
Maintaining the beautiful flower garden at the front of the yard keeps her quite occupied – though occasionally to the exasperation of Lincoln.
“Sometimes I have to row with her because she would go downstairs everyday for, like two hours until she gets tired, then she would come back up; always fatiguing that garden. But the first thing for her in the morning is her coffee; coffee first and then the garden later” he said light-heartedly.
“She’s always busy around the house: always sweeping, always finding something to do around the house. She likes to keep the place tidy.”
Despite the constant pain of arthritis and slowing losing her sense of hearing, Miss Gathy finds comfort in God whom she believes to be present in all living things, including the plants in her beautiful garden.
“Sometimes I don’t feel too well; I get forgetful and don’t remember anything! But thank God for everything; for everything, I thank Him,” she reiterated.
Miss Gathy noted that her love for the Lord, organic food, exercise and gardening, are just a few of the things that have kept her in good health and strength over the years.
“You must put God first in everything you do; even if things are not going too well, still, give thanks to Him, bless the Lord at all times,” she advised.
She is a devout member of the Saint Aidan’s Anglican Church, despite the fact that she is a shut-in member. She receives her teachings at home where her pastor visits her every week. She noted that it is this faith that keeps her persevering throughout life.
Armed with years of knowledge and experience, she advises young people “to behave; try to behave yourself; behave in a proper manner and things will work out good for you.”
A humble woman, she believes in taking life one day at a time despite its many challenges, “I like to keep things simple you know, not too much fuss, nor fight.
“People must be humble, that’s the way we must live. Don’t go chasing material things because your life is more important than silver or gold,” she advised with a smile and with hope in her eyes.