Orinthia Fender, 103 years old. - Norman Grindley/acting Photography editor

She cannot remember in which year she was born, but centenarian Orinthia Fender cherishes memories of old-time Christmas.

Born on April 1, 1905, in Buff Bay, Portland, according to her relatives, a toothless and happy Fender needs no help to tell her story.

The details of Christmas nearly 100 years ago spilled from her lips as if it all happened yesterday.

Her favourite memories are of walking the streets of downtown Kingston on Grand Market night.

As a child, she would use a cane to beat the hats of policemen who were keeping guard in the district.

"That was fun," she laughed, exposing healthy pink gums.

Christmas mornings were always the same. She went carolling at her local church, having trekked two miles from home at Hagley Park Road in St Andrew to church in Half-Way Tree.

Things changed

"Christmas was really Christ-mas. You can't do all of that now with all the violence going on," she said.

For dinner, the family would drink sorrel, brewed from buds grown by her father. And, a pig would be slaughtered for dinner.

"I believe that's what makes me so strong."

Gifts were not left out. She received a doll and dress for church from her parents. Then, she said, neighbours and store owners were extremely kind. As a child, they would give her gifts as well - dresses, shoes and a penny.

"I don't forget, those were lovely times but I didn't know I would live, 'til now," she said.

"You could enjoy yourself, no robbery, no thief. It's different now," she sighed.

Fender was a dressmaker, stitching and making embroidery items to feed herself.

She also made costumes for characters of legendary theatre stalwarts Ranny Williams and Louise Bennett.

Her long life, she says, must also be attributed to her nature walks from Hagley Park Road to the hills of St Andrew and the many baths taken under a rock in Constant Spring.

By a rock in the upper St Andrew community where she frequented as a young child, she would enjoy the natural spring water as it flowed on to her body.

At least twice a month, she would also walk from Newscastle in St Andrew to Buff Bay, approximately 10 miles.

Fender, who was popular among her peers, saw the world as her playground, Travelling to England, Scotland, Canada and "I think I go to Hong Kong, one of those 'Chiney' places".

Diva

Quite a fashion diva even at 103, Fender keeps apace with current styles. For The Gleaner interview, she wore flesh-toned stockings, a pair of brown pants and red shoes with a matching circular shaped neckline. Her attire was completed with silver and gold bangles.

Twice during the chat, she asked her caregiver, Rose Lopez, if her white fluffy hair was neat.

"Poor me gyal, poor me old lady," she chimed.

Although she had no children of her own and has outlived her two sisters and parents, Fender has a circle of friends who are like family. They ensure that she is properly provided and cared for.

"Look at me, should be in my grave now," she said.

Without segregation

But her rich childhood was not without the taint of segregation that was part and parcel of life for ordinary black folk across the globe. She recalled how at a church in St Andrew, blacks could only sit on the left side of the congregation as the right side was reserved for the whites.

The walls of her living room canvas her life story. Certificates of commendation and photographs of Anglican pastors with whom she had interacted, frames boasting leaders of the Bible Society of West Indies and the National Children's Home speak volumes about her dedication to service.

A picture of Dr Martin Luther King Jr is also prominently displayed in her living room.

"Nice man," she said. She had had the privilege of meeting the slain American civil-rights leader years ago.

Now, she too cannot believe that a black man, Barack Obama, is the presidential-elect of the United States of America.

"Imagine that eeh!" she smiled and shook her head.