MRS. Susan Olive Packwood has seen and experienced countless changes, some of which she shared with friends and family during her 100th birthday celebration last week. Olive, as she is affectionately known, is the daughter of the late Ernest and Susan Tucker; the former was the principal of the Spring Hill School in Warwick.

As Olive blossomed into adulthood she had three children — a daughter and two sons, Hyacinth, Gladwin and the late Keith Packwood.

Among the second-generation members in attendance was her grandson, Andrew (Packie) Packwood. Rounding out the second generation is Andrew's sister Joy Packwood-Duffy, who lives abroad with her husband, while the third generation consists of Joy's two children, Alicia and André.

A trail-blazer in her own right, Mrs. Packwood attended St. Mary's School in Warwick and Spring Hill School, which was located in the area now known as Cobb's Hill.

Upon entering the workforce, Mrs. Packwood spent the next 20 years as a dressmaker before working in different professions including waitressing at the Newstead Hotel. Her last job was in the housekeeping department at the Elbow Beach Hotel.

During her tenure at Elbow Beach, Mrs. Packwood was the personal caretaker to a Mr. and Mrs. Scott who at the time were frequent visitors to the island. According to one family member, Mr. Scott worked in the financial sector and he and his wife eventually bought a house and made Bermuda their home.

They were so impressed with Mrs. Packwood's level of professionalism and genuine warmth that they employed her as their personal housekeeper.

It didn't take long for well-wishers to make their way to Mrs. Packwood's daughter Hyacinth Butterfield's Devonshire home, but the best was yet to come!

About 30 minutes into the get-together, Premier Alex Scott visited a visibly surprised Mrs. Packwood.

"I would like to know your secret for living to 100 years young," said a jovial Mr. Scott.

With a twinkle in her eye, the spry Mrs. Packwood replied: "Hard work and hard times." To which Mr. Scott replied: "Then I'll live to be 100 also and I have the ingredients.

"But it is an honour to visit people like Mrs. Packwood and her sister, Mrs. Hyacinth Elmira Hunt, who have made their mark in the community. The least we can do is appreciate and recognise them when they make landmarks such as living to be 100 years young!"THE Premier shared a special bond with both Mrs. Packwood and Mrs. Hunt, as the latter was a well- known and respected educator, who at one time taught the Premier his keyboarding skills when he was a student at the Berkeley Institute. "That was a few years ago," chuckled Mr. Scott, exclaiming that the day one becomes too busy to recognise our seniors and the island's movers and shakers, it is time to get out of office!

Mr. Scott celebrated with Mrs. Packwood and read how she has witnessed Bermuda transforming from a rugged farming community to one of the major players in the financial world.

Mr. Scott said that Mrs. Packwood and her children and siblings had taught many of the island's leaders.

The Premier, along with those present, praised Mrs. Packwood for her years of selfless dedication to the hospitality industry and her all-round community spirit.