Dominica's second oldest person, 118-year-old Rose Peter affectionately known as 'Ma Rose' of Portsmouth, quietly passed away Wednesday, leaving the entire town of Portsmouth, and Dominica to mourn her loss.

Ma Rose, who lived on the same street, and was a friend of Elizabeth "Ma Pampo" Israel, said to be the world's oldest living person, died at about 8:30 a.m in the hands of her caretaker and niece Joan Charles.

In an exclusive interview with The Chronicle, Charles disclosed that the centenarian's death may have been accelerated by emotional upset.

"Her house was in a very bad condition, there was no where I could put her without getting wet if it rained. My sister came from London and she said she would repair the house so we put her by my nephew. The week after she got upset and said she wanted to go back to her place because she doesn't like there. She refused to eat, and would only take a little bit of porridge and water. She stayed there two weeks after which the house was repaired but she never recovered," she said.

According to Joan, she was concerned about her aunt's health and contacted the local doctor on September 10th.

"She appeared weak on that day and I called the doctor for her, but he did not come. A nurse and a practitioner came and they said she was in good health."

However, she said that Ma Rose continued to be disturbed and quietly passed away during her regular morning bath.

"She would bathe every morning between 7:30 and 8:00. While I was bathing her, her eyes was closed so I said "Auntie Rose I am bathing you and you closing your eyes?"

She then opened her eyes but she didn't say anything to me so I said okay and I started to bathe her. I wiped and powdered her and put on her pampers but when I was about to put her nightgown I noticed she wasn't breathing," she explained.

Joan, who along with her sister was raised by Ma Rose from age seven, described the deceased as someone who was very kind, peaceful and quiet.

"When we were sick she would cradle us and feel sorry and do all the bush medicine she know for us. I have to say she was our mother," she said.

Expressions of condolence have come from Prime Minister Pierre Charles, Community Development Minister Matthew Walter, Portsmouth Mayor Julien Brewster and founder of the Ma Pampo Foundation Alex Bruno.

Meanwhile, a funeral date has not yet been set for Ma Rose as the small family awaits the arrival of other relatives living abroad.

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