The celebration of the 100th birthday of Christabell Lavina Cann has been extraordinary to say the least. Christy, as she's best known, was born January 29, 1910 and until recently, like the rest of her siblings and their offspring had been one of the pillars of Somerset.

Firstly she was honoured with an afternoon tea party at Warwick Church Hall. It was organised by her niece Ellen Kate Horton, a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service jointly with the Lorraine Rest Home where Christy now resides. The next night was party time at St. Anne's Church Hall, Southampton, a more upbeat event planned by great-grand daughter Koshea. Christy who remarkably is in full possession of her faculties was right there, excited and fully enjoying herself.

A week before she received a visit from the Premier, Hon. Dr. Ewart Brown, who stopped by for a chat and to extend best wishes. He was early in view of the fact he was leaving the next day for Saudi Arabia.

But that's not all. Just before Christmas, Christy went to California to help her daughter Frances Stearns celebrate her 75th birthday. Frances took a delight in "showing off" her elderly mother to her circle of friends, meeting new ones at her church. They were so impressed they took up a collection, which, incidentally Francis brought to Bermuda when she arrived for the big 100th. It will be contributed with other funds to Age Concern charity.

Three days after her high profile centenary celebrations, Christy was a chief mourner at the funeral of popular J. Quincy Scott, a son of her daughter Joan Cann Scott. He died unexpectedly the week before at age 38. Not surprisingly, hundreds attended the funeral at St. James Church with a joining of the Horton-Cann clan, the Scotts and Smith families and friends.

This writer, as a Somersetian dating back some eight decades plus, living not far from where the Hortons built their homestead on Cook's Hill, got to know them well. In sports they were keen business people, in sports flamboyant competitors, Christy included. Above all, they were industrious skilled mechanics, ambitious, becoming household names as they impacted locally and internationally in their respective niches.

Christy's father James Horton came from Saba in the early 1900s to help with the Walker Works expansion of the Dockyard. His wife-to-be Josephine Bailey had already migrated from St. Kitts. Their marriage union produced seven children. They were James (Jimmy) who became one of the country's leading building contractors as well as the national billiards champion; Kenneth Ray, also a master carpenter; David(Cat), a plumber, both being Somerset CC Cup Match stars; Christabell, Geraldine, now 98, Bessie deceased, and Barbara now 83.

Barbara was a prodigious dancer and singer on the local entertainment circuit before she married and migrated to Ohio. She is now retired after teaching many years at Central State University.

Christy marred at age 24. She bore nine children; had 40 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and is a great-great grandmother to nine. Five of Christy's children have passed. They were Adhelia, Albert, Willis, and Danny.

Surviving are Joan, Frances who resides in California; David and Braxton whose home is in Arizona.