Mrs Marie Irène Verloppe, born at Barkly Asylum Hospital in Beau Bassin on 10 December 1921, celebrated her 100th birthday, today, at her residence in Tranquebar, Port Louis.
An official ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity to honour the new centenarian. On this occasion, Mrs Verloppe received, from the authorities, a cheque amounting to Rs 21,836; another one to the tune of Rs 10,000 from the National Solidarity Fund; a centenarian medal; one certificate; a telephone; a mixer-grinder; and a bouquet.
The Lord Mayor, Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cader Saib, other personalities, and the close relatives of Mrs Verloppe were present at the event.
In his address, Mr Cader Saib commended the centenarian’s children for their continuous support towards their parents, and wished Mrs Verloppe a prosperous life. He also urged every person present to observe all sanitary precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and encouraged them to receive their booster dose at the earliest so as to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
Latest statistics from the Welfare and Elderly Persons’ Protection Unit of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity reveal that the Republic of Mauritius has recorded, as at 11 December 2021, a total of 177 centenarians from Mauritius and Rodrigues. In Mauritius, the number of female and male centenarians stands at 140 and 24 respectively while in Rodrigues, the number of centenarians recorded are 10 females and three males. They all benefit from a monthly pension of Rs 21,710 from Government.
It is recalled that Mrs Marie Irène Verloppe had four siblings, who all passed away. Her father was a driver and her mother worked as housemaid. She studied up to standard six and later worked at Oxenham factory.
Mrs Verloppe civilly married Mr France Verloppe and out of this union, two children (one son and one daughter) were born. She has two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Furthermore, she likes to listen to music and watch television, and her favourite dish is touffe bred with fish curry.
