Mrs. Matilda Berry

Mrs. Berry, who turned 99 on March 14, has been a Marshal and a member of the PUP for over 60 years. She is still a Marshal although she can no longer attend meetings.

Besides John and Louise, Mrs. Berry has another child, Gretel Lopez, 57.

Mrs. Berry has 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Louise said her mother does not smoke or drink alcohol and has never been seriously ill. Mrs. Berry can still walk and her mind is still active.

“My mother is still healthy at age 99. Her only complaint is about pain over her body every now and then”, said Louise.

Mrs. Berry has received regular check-ups and the doctor who examines her says nothing is wrong with her.

Mrs. Berry began living at her present address after the 1961 Hurricane Hattie. She was a member of the Collet Women’s Group that was headed by former PUP Minister Gwendolyn Lizarraga (deceased). She acquired her property with the help of “Madam Liz” as Mrs. Lizarraga was fondly called.

Louise recalled the time when she was a young woman and her mother lived at Turneffe with her father, John Berry Sr., who passed away over 15 years.

Louise said John Sr. was a fisherman who used to sell fish and shark oil at the old Market, which was located where the Commercial Center is today.

Louise said Mrs. Berry used to make coconut oil at Turneffe and together she and John Sr. would journey to Belize City to sell their wares.

Now at her age Mrs. Berry can only look back and reminisce about the times when Belize was really a paradise.