Margaret Louisa Burrows? life crossed three centuries before she died last week at the grand old age of 106.

In fact, Mrs. Burrows was older than Bermuda?s annual holiday Cup Match and remembered a time when the event didn?t exist.

She was born on February 2, 1899 and raised on Angle Street, in Hamilton. Soon after her birth she moved to Mount Hill. She married Melvin Burrows and raised 12 children, outliving nine of them.

Mrs. Burrows, pictured, was considered by some to be a national treasure because she could talk about a Bermuda without telephones, trains and cars. She also lived through two World Wars and killer flu epidemics.

Her granddaughter, Venetia Stirling, and great granddaughter, Keena Simmons, spoke fondly of Mrs. Burrows and said she was active and alert up until the last few years of her long life.

They described her as ?a stern but kind-hearted and loving person?. They remembered her as a disciplinarian who could give a good pinch if a child stepped out of line.

The aroma of freshly baked bread will always remind them of Mrs. Burrows, they said, as she baked loaves for the family well into her 90s.

Mrs. Burrows often attributed her long life to ?a good intake of cod liver oil, olive oil, flaxseed and plenty of water? but longevity may be in the family genes as her sister Violet lived to be 99.

Ms Stirling and Ms Simmons said Mrs. Burrows made special bonds with a variety of people throughout her life. She spent 40 years working for Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Harnett and helped raise their children Anne and Helene, whom she called her ?white daughters?.

She also became former Senator Ira Philip?sdance partner at the Pembroke Community Terpischore and dance group. Mr. Philip described Mrs. Burrows as a gentle and elegant lady.

Mr. Philips wasn?t the only politician Mrs. Burrows rubbed shoulders with, however. She had a special bond with former Premier Jennifer Smith, who she met at one of the seniors? tea parties that are held annually.

When Dame Jennifer expressed a desire to live as long a life as Mrs. Burrows she was told: ?You?ve got a long way to go!?

Mrs. Burrows is survived by three children, Betty Gomes, Loretta Burrows and Morris Burrows, 37 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, 33 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild.

Her funeral will be held tomorrow at St. James Church.