Mrs Laurence Coret, born on 01 July 1922, celebrated her 100th birthday, today, at her daughter’s residence at Cité La Cure, in Port-Louis.
In this context, 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 Coret received, from the authorities, a cheque amounting to Rs 21,836; a cheque to the tune of Rs 10,000 from the National Solidarity Fund; a bouquet; a centenarian medal; one certificate and; a Tefal Cookware.
The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard, the Member of Parliament, Mrs Marie Joanne Sabrina Tour, as well as other personalities and the close relatives of Mrs Coret, were present on this occasion.
Mrs Laurence Coret was born at Lees Street in Curepipe. Her father was a driver employed in a sugar estate and her mother was a housewife. Her parents gave birth to two sons and three daughters. She is the second child in her family. All her siblings have passed away.
The centenarian has studied up to Standard six and got married to Mr Marc Arsene Coret at the age of 17. She gave birth to two sons and two daughters. Her husband was a carpenter while she worked as a dress maker. She became a widow at the age of 39. One of her sons has also passed away and, at present, she has two daughters and one son, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She is currently under the care of her daughter, Mrs Marie Claire Félicité.
Mrs Coret is now bedridden, suffers from Alzheimer, has hearing impairment and very poor vision. According to her relatives, her cherished memories are her visit to England at her brother’s place and her travel to Rodrigues Island. They attribute her longevity to her faith in God and to some extent, to hereditary link as she has a cousin who is also a centenarian.
