Alona Lambert-Simons seemed a bit more relaxed for part two of her 105th birthday celebrations.

Michael Dunkley, the Premier, presented the Matilda Smith Williams seniors home resident with flowers on behalf of the people of Bermuda on her actual birthday, January 21; musician Tony Brannon strummed a tune.

On Sunday it was a different story. Family and friends gathered at Mt Zion AME Church Hall where Mrs Lambert-Simons, who is believed to be Bermuda’s oldest resident, was hailed by two big bands.

Their performances awakened spirits from “back in the day” when she was a lively member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Somerset Brigade Band and the St James Church stage group — the latter’s members celebrated her by parading around in period dresses and hats.

The long-time Gombey dancer was then taken by surprise when Gombeys showed up drumming and dancing.

She seemed like she actually wanted to get up into the act and do a gig, but remained seated, moving to the rhythms.

Mrs Lambert-Simons was born on January 21, 1911, the daughter of Arthur and Susan Lambert. Mr Lambert was an expert mason with a speciality for building fireplaces. The well-known Lambert homestead still stands today, supremely atop White Hill across from the entrance to Spring Benny Road.

In 1947, Alona became the wife of tall, lanky, Elliott Simons, a mason who had already etched his name in Bermuda’s sports history along with his brother Arthur and their first cousins, the Alma “Champ” Hunts. They were all part of the Somerset Cricket Club’s Cup Match Team, which was virtually invincible during that era. Mrs Lambert-Simons was also a cricketer, as well as a keen dancer.

There were no children of their own from the marriage, but the couple adopted three.

The flower and vegetable garden she and her husband tended on the corner of Scott’s Hill and Beacon Hill Roads was a Somerset landmark. Mrs Lambert-Simons was widowed in 1977.

She and other members of her family seem to have remarkable longevity.

Her sisters, Linda and Agatha, both lived to at least their 100th year; brothers Daniel, George, Everod and Borden lived into their 90s.