Enid ‘Mama’ Dennis still alert, generous at 105
Published:Tuesday | July 15, 2025 | 12:08 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Despite suffering a stroke, which has left her bedridden and unable to speak, centenarian Enid Dennis, who celebrated her 105th birthday on Sunday, remains a symbol of deep love and inspiration for her family.
Dennis, who resides at the Pride and Dignity Elder Care nursing home in Irwin Gardens, St James, was quite alert and with a bright smile when The Gleaner showed up at her birthday party at the invitation of her family.
Daughter Cheryl Dennis, the youngest of Dennis’ eight children, told The Gleaner that her mother, popularly called ‘Mama’, has always been a selfless and determined woman, and she tok pride in raising her family in the sometimes volatile Rose Heights community, also in St James.
“My mother is a person that looks out for people. She is the type of person who will give her meal to you and do without. And at one point, when we were younger, what she would do is feed the family, and what was left after her children had eaten, that is what she would have for her dinner,” said Cheryl.
“She was not a woman who would stay down, even in her older age. At one point, she met in an accident that caused her to be limping, but even though we said, ‘Mama, don’t do this, don’t do that,’ she still wanted to climb trees at her old age,” continued Cheryl.
“She always shares, she always has a smile on her face, and she would always have a story to tell. I believe that is what is carrying her up to this moment.”
Charline Green-Edwards, the operator of the Pride and Dignity home, also spoke to the generosity demonstrated by the centenarian to her fellow residents after her arrival at the home in 2023.
“Ms Dennis is a very loving and kind person, and she shows us that she is a caring person, even though she cannot talk. She shares everything that she has, no matter what it is,” said Green-Edwards. “We love her and care for her very much, and we do everything possible to take care of her. She has been here two years now, and at first, it was a little rocky, but the Lord brought us through, and we do the best we can for Ms Dennis.”
Born on July 14, 1920, Enid Dennis was orphaned due to her mother dying in childbirth. She was raised in Stewart Town, Trelawny, by her grandmother, May Barnett. She later relocated to Rose Heights, St James. In St James, she worked at the Barnett Estate.
In 1959, she met George Dennis (now deceased), who would later become her husband. Their union lasted 60 years, although they only formally tied the knot in 1988. Their relationship produced eight children, 32 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.
Granddaughter-in-law Shashane Dehaney recalled how the centenarian would often regale her relatives with stories from her time working at Barnett Estate.
“She is a very nice lady, always hard-working, and you could always see her washing from as early as six in the morning. She loves her kids, and she loves people in general,” said Dehaney. “When she could talk, you would always hear her telling about when she was picking mangoes by the estate. When it comes to her family, she is big on her kids; and her kids have done exceptionally well on her behalf, just as she has done for them.”