By Ira Philip

When Mrs Gloria Melvina Bean of East Shore Lane, Somerset celebrated her 90th birthday on November 2, she was content allowing it to be an at-home historic milestone luncheon filled with pleasant memories and laughter. She was surrounded by her seven children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandson and other family members and friends

Gloria and at least two or three of her children have been big time headline makers, hardly ever out of the news over the years. Her homestead for many years has been noted for its spectacular Christmas lighting displays. When she was 30, Gloria gave birth to the largest set of twins born in Bermuda, in 1953. The twins joined the only other living child, Leleath who was then aged 13.

A Royal Gazette journalist scooped the rest of the media, reporting how Earleen at birth weighed 7lb 2oz and Edward, Jr 7lb. When they were taken home from the hospital Edward had caught up with Earleen and they both weighed 7lb, 8oz. Mother Gloria told The Gazette how the arrival of the twins was strange. “I have had no children for 13 years that is why it seems strange”. Twins ran in the family and at that time. An aunt Mrs Esther Robinson had twins (Mark and Margaret Robinson).

In any case the twins Earleen DeSilva (nee Ball) and Edward Ball, Jr celebrated their 60th birthday this year on September 30, 2013. Sister, Mrs Leleath Bailey told how the family took the opportunity to blend the milestone of the twins with that of their mother.

Leleath incidentedly, is a retired Civil Servant, having been for many years been the assistant Parliamentary Registrar, and a totally involved head of the Bermuda Public Service Union (BPSU). Her younger brother Edward Ball, Jr, is the high profile BPSU General Secretary. Leleath said: “We value our mother’s presence on earth and are fortunate to still have her with us after 90 years. God has richly blessed her. We are looking forward to another year of happiness and bliss with this Matriarch.