As told by a relative…

My loving, caring and Compassionate grandmother was born Zena Maude Doobay on 13th May 1920 at #68 Corriverton, Berbice, Guyana and was the 2nd of 21 children by her father.

Her mom whose parents went to Guyana on the Indentured Slave ship from India unfortunately died in childbirth after giving birth to 10 of the 21 children. Zena is the only survivor of that set. 

She grew up with her grandmother who with the support of her father sent her to school. Granny got married to Nathaniel Small the day after school closed, the year before she wrote her school-leaving exams. She bore 3 children.

A boy, her first unfortunately passed while still a baby. My uncle Lennox Small followed then a few years later my mom Cloyette Small. Granny’s maternal grandmother Rebecca La Rose taught her embroidery -making decorative pillowcases, knitting chairbacks, dollies for center-tables, making scrap mats and patchwork sheets for any size of beds. 

She in turn taught this at a Primary School. Her second and third jobs were renting bicycles and being a dedicated wife to her husband who passed away at an early age. She supported her family by selling ice pop (sucka bubby) and finger foods. She also did farming, planting peppers and vegetables.

She loved to make local wine and fruits for cake from gooseberries and Five Finger(star
fruit). These were in demand at Christmas. She loves to sing. Her favourite song is Onward Christian Soldiers. She also loves to listen to Jim Reeves. One would think she is trying to out sing him especially when she hears ….I’ll fly away. She is still a member of the Presbyterian Church in Guyana even though she resides in Antigua after travelling to Barbados and USA.

Before she became wheelchair bound she visited the SJPC church a few times. Family Feud is one of her favourite TV shows. She also enjoys watching Judge Judy. Presently she spends her day doing Word Searches finishing one book in just about a week. It must be in course print.

She doesn’t wear spectacles. Even though slow to recall, she does recall events and relates them to those who lend an ear. She still assists in peeling onions, garlic and preparing the seasoning for cooking. Her favourite dish is the Same (string beans) and shrimp and she loves fish. 

She has four grandchildren- Candace, Lonsdale, Shariot and Anthony, twelve great-grands including Latanya and others and one great-great-grand. She presently resides with her eldest granddaughter Candace Woodruff of Baxter Street Antigua.

Asked what advice she’d like to pass on to the younger generation, as to how they could live to a ripe old age as she has, she stated that they should maintain a healthy relationship with God as without His guiding hand, she would not have been able to achieve such a milestone. She also added a relationship with your fellow men is important. 

We thank God for sparing her life to this age so we could benefit from the examples of her blessed life.