Nesta Leeloo, a centenarian from Tamarac, marked a new milestone as she celebrated her 108th birthday. The Jamaican-born former seamstress was surround by family and friends for the occasion, as reported by NBC Miami. With a life spanning more than a century, "Mama," as she is fondly called, attributed her longevity to living decently and not going against one's upbringing.
On her birthday, Leeloo received honors including a proclamation from the Jamaican Consul General, Oliver Mair; the mayor of Tamarac also named January 6 as "Nesta Leeloo Day." Having moved to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica, after getting married, Leeloo's expansive family now includes six children and multiple generations thereafter, with 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren, and 5 great-great-great grandchildren. "They are my life," Leeloo told NBC Miami.
Leeloo's life in Tamarac is marked by her independence and the maintenance of her passions, which involve hemming pants and playing piano. Her self-sufficiency continues to impress, despite recently starting to use a walker, she has kept a positive outlook on life and her own capabilities. "I had a wonderful life, I had wonderful parents, could not ask for more," she said in an interview with WSVN.
Known for her love of family and the simple pleasures in life, Leeloo enunciates her fondness for a "good plate of beef soup" and the act of staying manicured, suggesting that these joys contribute to her strength and vitality, according to NBC Miami. Preferring good Jamaican food, and spending her days in the company of her beloved relatives, Leeloo remains an inspiration to her family, who regard every day with her as a cherished gift. The birthday celebration not only marked Leeloo's personal milestone but also added to the treasure chest of family memories, a testament to the legacy she continues to build.
