Margaret Dowarka, the supercentenarian who was featured in the Jamaica Observer in April has died.
The 115-year-old passed away peacefully at her Belfield Pen, St Mary home on Wednesday July 5.
Born on April 1, 1902 she celebrated her last birthday with relatives earlier this year.
She was the only living sibling of her parents’ six children. Dowarka mothered 13 children, four of which she outlived. She also survived longer than her husband.
Up to last year she was listed as the second oldest person in Jamaica, behind 117-year-old Trelawny native Violet Brown — the oldest verified living person in the world.
In April, the Sunday Observer highlighted her unforgettable contribution to the community, as stated by her caregiver, granddaughter Beverly James.
“She usually cook and nuff little children love her because all when holiday time, she used to cook nuff fish, dal, rice, curry, kill nuff chicken and give weh to whole heap a children and people,” James recounted, in the months old interview.
“She used to treat we very nice when we small. all when grandpa would a quarrel, she nuh love di quarrel, she hide the food and give we,” she continued. “She is a good lady man; she nuh put up with foolishness.”
Described at the time as ‘feisty’, Dowarka maintained her fiery spunk despite her age.
The supercentenarian died leaving five children — Madlin, Moses, Donald, Phillip and Isolyn — grandchildren, great grandchildren; and great, great grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be held on July 30 at the Lewis Store Seventh Day Adventist Church, near her Belfield Pen home.
Rest In Peace may heavens gate welcome you Ms Dowarka .
I miss my grandmother