~Oldest in St. Maarten, Seventh Day Caribbean Union ~

ST. JOHN'S--God, a good heart and a healthy lifestyle are the ingredients to the longevity of St. Maarten's eldest resident Marthe Connor-Duzanson, who clocked 102 years old on Thursday.

Conner-Duzanson, called a "living legend," is not only St. Maarten's oldest, but also the oldest person in the Seventh Day Adventist Caribbean Union to reach this age, said Pastor Royston Philbert of the St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Connor-Duzanson marked her birthday in the presence of family, friends and well wishers at the St. Martin's Home where she is a client. Among her gifts was a foldable wheelchair presented by Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin to help with her mobility.

Connor-Duzanson told The Daily Herald that she was happy to reach another milestone. She never smoked, consumed alcohol and she doesn't eat unhealthily, her eldest daughter Ava Ignacio said.

Connor-Duzanson, a mother of six, (one of whom passed away), has 18 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

"I know that God gave me these years and He has blessed me with this age," she said, adding that over the years she has been blessed with good family and good friends.

Asked how many more years she would like to clock, Connor-Duzanson said: "I never talk about it."

Ignacio said growing up, her mother always said that she wanted to live to be 100 years old and since she passed that age, she never speaks about it. Asked to share her most memorable moment, the alert and focussed centenarian said all the moments spent with friends and family were memorable.

Marlin commended Connor-Duzanson saying she sets a new trend on each birthday. "I hope God continues to bless you with a happy and long life," he said. In presenting the wheelchair, Marlin said he hopes the "new wheels" will help with her mobility.

A Government Information Services (GIS) special interview with Connor-Duzanson was also aired during yesterday's celebrations.