By Alexia Simon
Elizabeth Ma Pampo Israel, believed to be the oldest living person in Dominica, and the world, passed away Tuesday at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) at about 9:00 a.m.
She died of Broncho Pneumonia at the age 128.
One of her caretakers, Gwendolyn Leslie said that during the early hours of Monday morning, she realised that 'Ma Pampo' was coughing alot and she wasnt looking well. She said 'Ma Pampo' had a fever and was perspiring heavily. Leslie gave the sick woman some honey and lime and asked her what was wrong. Ma Pampo however, said nothing was amiss. Leslie said she further asked Ma Pampo if she was feeling any pain and she replied, You doh hear nowhere not hurting me?
Leslie said she did not want to take any chances and called the other caretaker, Olivia Christian who also lives in Portsmouth.
She then called an ambulance to take Ma Pampo to the Portsmouth Hospital.
Leslie said that when the ambulance arrived, Ma Pampo, although blind, glanced her way and started crying. Her last words to Leslie were, I want some water.
Ma Pampo was examined at the Portsmouth Hospital and transferred to the PMH.
However, Leslie said that although her speech had deteriorated, Ma Pampo continued conversing with her up to just before she was taken to the hospital, though she was not as jovial as usual. Ma Pampo told Leslie that she did not feel sick and felt no pain. Leslie said that she was deeply saddened at the death because Ma Pampo was very close to her. She added that when a nurse called on Tuesday to speak with Christian, Leslie knew immediately that her charge had died.
According to her, several villagers went to Ma Pampos house to mourn her death after hearing the news.
Ma Pampo was the mother of one son, who passed away several years ago. However she had several grand and great grandchildren.
Born on January 27, 1875 in Glanvillia, Portsmouth she was first recognised on December 19, 1999 after journalist, Alex Bruno made the announcement on the midday news on DBS radio. Before then, villagers were curious about her age and her name and called her Ma Pampo. Some of the older persons said that they knew her since they were small children.
It was her first caretaker, Lucien Dasilva, who for three years searched for documents to prove her age. With the help of the staff of the Portsmouth Catholic Church she found the woman's baptismal certificate, and only then did they know her real name and her age.
On November 4, 2002, she received the highest honour, The Dominica Award of Honour at the parade of uniformed groups at the Botanical Gardens. Before then, she was recognised in the Time magazine of February 14 as the worlds oldest person.
Despite the setback in getting her recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records, she made front page in the Tampa Tribune and Los Angeles Times, among other well-known newspapers. She also received publicity on the Dave Letterman Show and Oprah Winfrey Show.
Ma Pampo was one of over 23 centenarians living in Dominica, a country with a population of just 71,000. She attributed her longevity to hard work and eating of local foods like callaloo, green bananas and crayfish.
The Government Of Dominica has made several attempts to get the Guinness Book of World Records to certify that Ma Pampo was the worlds oldest documented human. According to Minister Of Community Development, Matthew Walters, It is unfortunate that Pampo Israel did not receive recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records.
He said that she would be given an official funeral on Wednesday, October 22.
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