By Eric Martin
Myriam Regnard of Willetton Parish celebrated the start of her second century of life on Friday 25 October, joined by friends and family in the parish hall for a stylish birthday party with the community decorating and baking with love and enthusiasm for Myriam’s big day.
The parish community gathered after the midday Mass at St John and Paul Church and according to eye witness accounts, it was a great and joyous occasion, one that gave thanks and offered praise to the Lord for the life of Myriam and the positive impact that she has had on so many within the community, since moving to Perth from Mauritius in 2003.
“There were six parties for her birthday, four of which were organised by members of the parish,” Myriam’s son, Daniel Regnard shared with The eRecord.
“She’s enjoyed 10 full days of celebration, with family coming from all over the world to be here – there were 39 of us gathered together to be with her.”
According to www.marketwatch.com in 2017, a woman aged 65 years had a 5.9 per cent chance of living to be 100, a female aged 45 years had an eight per cent chance, and a 25-year-old woman had a 10.2 per cent chance of making a century.
The odds for men were even worse at three per cent for a 65 year-old, 4.5 per cent for a 45 year-old, and gentlemen who were 25 in 2017 only had a 6.1 per cent chance of making their 100th birthday.
Myriam, who suffered from poor health when she was a youth, credits her longevity to her faith, the love of family (especially her 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren) and friends, the beautiful climates of both Mauritius and Perth and retaining a healthy appetite.
Born in Madagascar, Myriam moved to Mauritius at the age of 6, where she lived for another 79 years before making the migration to WA, to be with two of her three remaining sons (the last of whom has remained in Mauritius).
Though she is now unable to walk the distance to the parish due to a fall, Myriam still attends Mass on a weekly basis, participating in the services offered by Growing Vine Ministry, a hospitality ministry for the elderly, of whom she is a member.
Irene Er-Smith, the coordinator of Growing Vine Ministry (and of one of Myriam’s six birthday parties), even learnt a smattering of French for the special occasion: “Que Dieu Vous Benisse, Myriam: You are a true testimony to God’s blessings!”