WE need hardly state that not many people reach the ripe old age of 100, still fairly hale and hearty, possessing an excellent memory, who reads voraciously and is a ravenous consumer of chocolates.

That is the case of Mrs. Roseannie Louise Wilson of Spring Hill, Warwick. But what is more remarkable, perhaps even miraculous, is the fact that when she was born to Anna Maria Williams Lee and husband Charles Lee, the nurse who delivered her declared she was not likely to survive long.

That was on January 20, 1904. She was such a weak little baby and so realistic was the fear she would die, her father rushed off to fetch a minister to baptise her right away. A neighbour meanwhile took the child in hand, she bathed her in alcohol and the rest is history.

When standing in her heyday, Mrs. Wilson was a stately six feet tall. The only surgery she has ever had was five years ago, for the removal of a cataract from her eye. And according to her daughter Mrs. Shirley White of Ord Road, Paget, her only medication is a water pill to counteract a bit of arthritis.

Shirley is the retired former deputy principal of Sandys Secondary School and is the current president of the Bermuda Bible Society as well as head of the Paget Parish Council. Shirley's only other sibling is Mrs. Gloria Ray, a well-known Warwick bowling enthusiast and certified geriatric caregiver.

A host of relatives, friends and admirers gathered at St. Mary's Warwick Church Hall on Sunday to share in Mrs. Wilson's big birthday party. The Queen sent her congratulations from Buckingham Palace, and Premier Alex Scott, accompanied by his wife Olga, brought best wishes on behalf of the people and Government of Bermuda.

Twice widowed, Mrs. Wilson has had an active life, travelling to many exotic places abroad, from age 18 when she made her first trip to New York aboard the liner Fort Victoria. For a while she worked in the United States. Also she was a companion for a wealthy American lady who travelled extensively. For many years she was the head cook at Horizons & Cottages in Paget. Several of Mrs. Wilson's co-workers in the hospitality industry were at the party.

MRS. Wilson has lived all her life in the house where she was born at Spring Hill. Her maternal grandfather William built the house and no fewer than seven generations have live there. She has had a lifelong passion for gardening, and at one time had about 60 different varieties of rosebushes in her garden. Over the years she collected a suitcase full of ribbons for her prize-winning entries in the Agricultural Exhibition and other shows.

She was once president of the Rose Society of the Sunshine League's Paget Branch; a founding member of Hibiscus Garden Club; former Presiding Daughter of Samaritan's Lodge, and former Secretary of St. Mary's Guild. She spends much of her time nowadays reading the Bible, biographies and books by Catherine Cook. She said she particularly enjoyed Nelson Mandela's autobiography.

Leading up the celebration on Sunday, Mrs. Wilson entered a pack with one of her five grandchildren, nine-year-old Rhea Gibbons. If the latter would sing at the party, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, she in turn would recite the rather lengthy poem The Tramp, which she learnt when she was 16 years old.

BOTH were roundly applauded for their performances. Another highlight was the performance of the Apex Four Quartette. They were particularly delighted to sing, as two of the group, Harry and Gary Bean, are her second cousins. The other two are Robert Symonds and Eric Whitter. Also Rochelle Simmons, beautifully rendered Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Rochelle is a Spring Hill neighbour, who like nearly half of the neighbouhood call Mrs. Wilson "Ma". The rest of the families call her "Big Ma". Mistress of ceremonies for the occasion was Mrs. Beverly Richardson Daniels, principal of Harrington Sound.

Mrs. Wilson had no hesitation in crediting her longevity to her love of chocolates. She finds them irresistible, and her offspring have no qualms about feeding her in the addiction. Her granddaughter delights in presenting her with $50 boxes of Godiva(s).

Others like her good friend Mrs. Rita Richardson, the mother of the broadcaster Rick Richardson, pamper her with Turtles. Mrs. Wilson feels that after 100 years she considers herself entitled to indulge.

And she showed her appreciation to her many guests by presenting each with a chocolate bar with a colourful wrapper noting high points in her life.