Carlotta Wilkinson Celebrates Her 100th Birthday
Carlotta Marguerite Wilkinson celebrated her 100th birthday today [Sept 15] at St Paul’s Anglican Church.
The birthday girl was all smiles as she was greeted by her 120 friends and family members, to celebrate her milestone moment with songs, gifts and sharing of memories.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “I get too old to be nervous. As long as the heart is good, that’s all that matters. I guess my heart is good after all these years.”
Mrs Wilkinson with her birthday cake:
Those in attendance packed St Paul’s Church and celebrated Mrs Wilkinson’s life, including her 80 year marriage to Irving Wilkinson.
Mrs Wilkinson was born and raised in Bermuda along with seven siblings by her parents Alfred Wilkinson and Catherine Seaman.
She, along with sisters Miriam and Winifred, married three Wilkinson brothers, Irving, Benny and George respectively.
Mrs Wilkinson worked as waitress at the Buena Vista hotel in Paget, and later became a homemaker to care for her children, husband and pets.
Mrs Wilkinson and her grandchildren [L-R] Janelle Gibbons, Delbert Hunt, and Enwar Hunt:
She enjoyed the work she did over the years, including baking, gardening, sewing, fishing and boating.
One of her masterpiece baking projects included a coconut layer cake, made with freshly grated coconut and frosting, which was made especially for birthday celebrations.
Her bread, hot cross buns, and marmalades also became well known and loved by her family and friends.
Mrs Wilkinson was praised by family members who said she always brought the family together and loved to host a weekly fish fry.
Her love for boating had the whole family aboard their boat throughout summer weekends for trips to Paradise Lake, for fishing and swimming.
Her passion for gardening was also well known. Mrs Wilkinson would pot plants, grow herbs, banana trees, avocado trees and various other fruit trees and would always be busy tending to her garden.
Looking back at her hard work, Mrs Wilkinson said her secret to happiness was enjoying the work she did.
“Anything you’re forced to do, put your love in it,” she said. “No matter what went on, I put my love in it.”
She said she adored animals, and currently has a dog named Coco and several cats. Mrs Wilkinson took care of a goat, several dogs, cats and a frog, who she named Anthony.
Joy Hunt, Janelle Hunt, Delbert Hunt, Janet Gibbons [holding Sohl Hunt], Nelson Hunt [rear], Carlotta Wilkinson, Dallas Hunt and Enwar Hunt:
Mrs Wilkinson’s grandchildren said they have been influenced greatly by her.
“She is inspirational,” Janelle Gibbons said. “I just realised that I have similar personalities from her, which is loving to cook, bake and the love for animals.”
Mrs Wilkinson’s grandsons beamed with happiness at their grandmother on her special day.
“I have some of her mannerisms, like being tidy and neat, and time keeping.” Enwar Hunt said.
Delbert Hunt added: “I remember when we were kids, we used to go load up the boat on Sundays after church and to Hawkins Island and spend the afternoon fishing.
“She’s very special to me, and I relish in the time I have left with her.”
Ms Gibbons said it took two days to get 120 people to accept the birthday invitation, and two weeks to prepare with a team of 10 people.
Read More About
Comments (17)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Articles that link to this one:
- Weekend Reports, Photos, Videos & Links | Bernews.com | September 16, 2013
Happy Birthday Mrs. Wilkinson!
I grew up next to Carlotta and Irvine.
They were and are still the best friends I ever had.
They helped make Dudley Hill and Paget.
The most sincere and helpful people I have ever known.
Happy Birthday Lady. My Mom and Dad would be proud of you now as they were for you for the 80 years they knew you.
Congratulations. Best wishes. Such a beautiful smile.
Congratulations. What a beautiful spirit Mrs Wilkinson. I love our quote, “No matter what went on, I put my love in it.”.
Mrs. Wilkinson…happy birthday!!! You are an inspiration.
A frog named Anthony….that’s HYSTERICAL!!!! Apparently, Mrs. Wilkinson has a sense of humor, too!
Dear Mrs. Wilkinson,
Happy Bithday,you always represented a thru Bermudian Aloha Spitit.
Throughout all this years you have made at lot of people very happy and for that we thank you !
Warmest Aloha
Fred Hellekes /Honolulu
To our dearest Mrs Wilkinson,
All of us whom had the joy to know you and live close to you will always keep you in our heard, you are a wonderful lady, even so many years after our life in your house Fred and I keep very found memories from the good times we spend with you.
May you have many more years of happiness surrounded by you family.
HAPPY 100th birthday to you dear sweet Mrs Wilkinson
We all my love to you
Gaby from France
(PS: Junior is missing in the pictures)
WOW!! You look awesome – a great inspiration. Would love to meet you and chat. We share similar interest but never thought of a frog pet I once had a lizard until it decided to move her/his whole family in. I envy your grandchildren, they have the advantage of sharing history first hand.
Love you and may God continue to Bless you and your family
Happy Birthday Mrs. Wilkinson!!!!!!!
Congratulations to you Mrs. Wilkinson and to your family for having such a beautiful jewel and treasure that God has given as a blessing. This speaks volumes to see someone of this age and looking so well and supported by those who love her.
Miss Carlotta, you look beautiful! Congratulations! I enjoyed reading a little about your life; what stories you could tell! Continue to enjoy each day for as long as God gives you.
Happy Birthday to Mrs Wilkinson.
Best landlord & landlady I ever had was the Wilkinson’s
Happy B-day to you Mrs. Wilkinson-the best landlady anyone could be lucky to have.
Your love and care for animals and plants spilled or poured over me.
You made me feel home away from home.
Thank You for these five years I’ve spent with you and your angelic heart children.
May God bless your soul and Is tea time
so I can hear your beautiful stories.
I feel blessed to have known you.
Yes gabby where is Jnr? like you loved living in the apt after you,I have managed to get back to Bermuda a couple of times as have my children,would have loved to have been at the party!! another big one next March Jnr’s 80th.Beautiful family, they must be, as we all still keep in contact,Carlotta taught me a lot,don’t know if my marmalade or hot cross buns could compete,and how I miss Irvings rum swizzle’s.and yes I used to hang out my washing all wrong,as I knew she would come out and re peg it!!!!!!!! still hear Carlotta running up and down those back steps.
Love to all Pauline derek and family (Australia)
Dearest Mrs. Wilkinson,
Happy Birthday from the Bartz Family. We have beautiful memories of our time with you in Bermuda. You are not far from our thoughts. Congratulations and many blessings.
Best wishes,
Picco, Adilia, Melanie, Jacqueline, and Nicole.
happy bday grandma and to your beautiful grand daughter janelle