When she passed at 105, Viola Myles was the “poster girl” for Helpage Belize and the exemplar of a life well lived and seniority well earned. And today Helpage introduced us to another centenarian, who’s a quite charming lady. Isabel Garbutt celebrated her one hundred third birthday with family and friends at her home in Belize City. 7NEWS was invited to the occasion and found why Ms. Isabel is one very special lady.
Jacqueline Godwin,
How is she doing today?
Sharon Pollack, Helpage
“Today she is really doing well, she says some days she gets a little bit off balance when she walks but she holds on but she says today she’s wonderful and she’s really happy to have made it to this milestone. And she is with her family. They had a luncheon for her and her family and so although she didn’t have any children of her own, she did raise quite a few and they have stayed near to her and they are being wonderful to her.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So tell me, did you make a birthday wish when you blew out your candle?
Isabel Garbutt, 103 years old
“Not like when I was a child.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So no birthday wish today?
Isabel Garbutt,
“Well yes I wish God will help me to live. I wouldn’t say I am afraid to die but I would really like to see my great grandchildren grow up and so they can help themselves at least.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So you would want to live ten more years?
Isabel Garbutt,
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to be in anybody else’s way. I want to still be able to get around and help myself.”
Besides her birthday party Isabel Garbutt was also treated to a luncheon.
