MARIGOT--Many well-wishers visited the Fleming home in Bellevue throughout the day on Thursday to celebrate the 101st birthday of Yvette Fleming-Hodge, the mother of former Senator Louis-Constant Fleming.
As usual, it was a quiet affair, mostly for immediate family, close friends and relatives. Father Samson conducted a blessing in the morning before visitors came and went. A party was organised on the terrace from 5:00 to 9:00pm.
Dutch St. Maarten Prime Minister William Marlin and Governor Eugene Holiday and his wife passed by in the evening to wish her well, Marlin presenting Fleming-Hodge with a bouquet of flowers and a framed photo of him posing with her and Louis-Constant Fleming for her 100th birthday.
“She looks a year younger compared to a year ago,” commented Marlin. “To me she is very much sound of mind. I felt it was just as important to be here today as last year. We tend to celebrate 100 years with a big bang, but once one has reached that milestone each year after that is worth celebrating as well.
“In her case she has made major contributions to North and South of St. Martin, and represents a country without borders. On behalf of the Government of St. Maarten and the people, we wish her a very happy birthday. I told her we look forward to celebrating 110 years with her. Judging by her physical and mental condition there should be no reason not to. But it is not in our hands. So it is good to cherish the moment with people who have lived this long.”
Louis-Constant Fleming said his mother, other than not being able to walk and some hearing loss, is in good health medically.
“Her memory is still good and she looks at MSR Cable every day; she likes to keep up with the news,” he said. “If she’s in a group of people all talking she will get bored, as she doesn’t hear too well, but if she has the floor to talk, that’s where she excels. She loves it when people come in and out all day.”
District five President Paul Whit also presented Fleming-Hodge with a bouquet of flowers and a birthday card consisting of a collage of photos from her 100th birthday celebration. He said the district’s intention is to recognise her immense contribution to the community with a statue or bust.
Other prominent persons spotted wishing her well included SOS Radio’s Jacques “Billy D” Hamlet, Michael Ferrier, Louis Mussington, Chamber of Commerce President Jean Arnell and Conscious Lyrics President Shujah Reiph.
