Mrs. Esmee Lorraine Burrows, of Middle Road, Southampton East, unquestionably is in a class by herself. She is now celebrating her 102nd birthday, and smilingly and humbly receives the blessings of both her prominent family and church for many more healthy years ahead.

More than 1,000 worshippers packing the Seventh-day Adventist Complex in Southampton participated in a moving tribute to Mrs. Burrows and her family by the entire Bermuda Conference of the SDA for the great contribution they have made towards the evolution of the denomination in the island. It took place at the spirited culmination of a ten-day annual camp meeting of church.

Mrs. Burrows' life has been uniquely long as well as prosperous. She was the third child of the six children of William and Martha Lovell. Her three brothers were Clarence, Cecil and Ivria and her two sisters were Sadie and Eleanor. During her early childhood years she attended Mr. Tucker's school in a little building that's now used for a storehouse for Whites Supermarket in Southampton.

At the age of 15, her parents emigrated to the United States to educate their children. She went to night school in Patterson, New Jersey. After a short spell she quit to work full time at an embroidery factory, thoroughly enjoying her job.

Ten years later Esmee returned to Bermuda to be the maid-of-honour at a cousin's wedding. That is when she met and married Reginald C. Burrows, who was then emerging as one of Bermuda's leading plumbers and contractors. Their union produced Reginald, Jr. and Corrine, as well as seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Esmee's husband Reginald was the grandson of Profario Gomez, the first baptised SDA on the island. Mr. Gomez donated the land for the Southampton SDA Church at its original location at Jew's Bay. And, incidentally, Mrs. Burrows currently lives in the house next door to the old church.

Mrs. Burrows joined the SDA Church in 1953 and has been a faithful member ever since. She has served in such varying capacities as deaconess, assistant Sabbath School secretary and on the community services and gourmet committees.

Her children and grandchildren describe her as a wonderful mother and grandmother. Always, Mrs. Burrows put the interest of her family first. They proudly say she would think nothing of going without something for herself to ensure that they got what they needed.

Education was most important to her and when the children were very young, she began talking to them about going to college and making every effort to get as much out of life as possible. They heeded her advice and are both college graduates.

Daughter Corrine was educated in Bermuda at Berkeley Institute, Atlantic University in South Lancaster, Massachusetts and University of Buffalo, New York, obtaining a degree in medical technology. She married a physician, Dr. Bruce Dummett. Both are now retired, and have been living in Bermuda when Corrine, after a 40-year absence, decided to return to take care of her mother.

Reginald, meanwhile, upon graduating from Berkeley Institute went to Wilberforce University in Ohio, earning a BSc degree in mathematics. He returned home, worked as a plumber with his father before joining in 1972 to open their own Pembroke Supply Business. Four years earlier young Reginald became an elected Member of Parliament, along with the now Speaker of the House, Stanley Lowe, for the Progressive Labour Party. They represented their Southampton East constituency for the next 35 years before Reginald retired from active politics.

Mrs. Burrows continues to be supportive of her grandchildren and takes pride in attending their music performances, school functions and graduations. She frequently has them at her house during the summer.

Our pictures above Mrs. Esmee Burrows (inset) and with her son Reginald with his wife Sheila, right and daughter Corrine with husband Bruce Dummett at the Bermuda Conference SDA event honouring her on her 102nd birthday. Below Pastor Kenneth Manders of Hamilton SDA, who made a presentation on behalf of the Conference to Mrs. Burrows.