Mildred Wilhemina Christina Hermanis was born 25th October, 1913 in the small village of Agatash, Essequibo River Region 7*, British Guiana called “Guyana” today, South America. Life for “Ma”, as she became to be known as by relatives, neighbours and friends was generally tough from her childhood days to her child-bearing and child-rearing days. The name “Ma” later gave way to “Grandma” as time passed. She was the mother of four 4 namely, Eunice, Christina, Linda and Milton. Grandma’s 1st daughter Eunice was born when she was just 17 years old. Eunice passed away in 2000, but Christina, Linda & Milton are still alive.
Grandma was an excellent cook, among other things. Her fine cooking skills was passed down to her 4 children, who anyone who knows all of them can attest, was definitely the case. She also had a great love for gardening from since her young days right up to the time she moved from Guyana to Florida in 1997, where she resided with her granddaughter Bev, Phil, Jordan and Hannah. Secrets to Grandma’s long healthy life included eating well, gardening, exercise, “not worrying” and drinking bush tea. In the pre-war years, one of Grandma’s necessary modes of transportation in her youth, apart from good old-fashioned walking, was paddling her “corial”, the indigenous Carib name for a dugout canoe. Her brother John, now deceased, often spoke of the fun he & his 2 sisters had paddling their corial as youngsters. Any kind of engine-boat was more of a luxury in those days, as the majority of people had no other choice but sail by corial along the Essequibo River where Grandma grew up. And of course regular canoeing is a most advisable way for anyone to stay physically fit, which is in turn a good recipe for a long & healthy life.
Grandma was also a sort of second mother to some of her 3 daughters’ children. Since the 1960’s, Grandma was a great help in the upbringing of Linda’s children in particular, namely Andrew, John, Bev and Carrie. It was during this time Grandma could be observed regularly boiling & sweetening “bush tea”, which she would always drink before retiring to bed. Bush tea has healthy nutrients that makes way for a long life.
In conclusion however, one of Grandma’s most notable attributes was her unequivocal faith in God. Before leaving Guyana Grandma attended the nearby Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as often as she could. Her daughter Eunice sang in this church’s choir, & also played the organ. After scoring a “magnificent 100”, Grandma was called home just 6 days after. As the notice in the Stabroek News of Guyana on Sunday 10th November will note, Grandma “has left her earthly paradise here in Florida for an even better paradise”. No doubt, there she’s enjoying the everlasting happiness she so much deserves.
Mildred Hermanis 100 years 100 descendants
4 Children
Eunice Jardine* Christina Phang Linda Klautky Milton Bynoe
20 Grandchildren
Beverly Klautky-Nix, Carolyn Klautky-McCormack, John Klautky, Andrew Klautky, Donna Goode, Carol Perez, Brian Phang*, Denise Phang, Michelle Phang, Jennifer Phang, Spencer Roberts, Andrea Bynoe, Mona Jardine, Maurice Jardine*, Penelope Jardine, Maria Etkins, Mark Hugh Jardine, Marlon Jardine, Robert Jardine
41 Great Grandchildren
Jordan Nix, Hannah Nix, Gem Klautky, Brianna McCormack, Kaitlin McCormack, Dylan McCormack, Tamika Gittens, Alana Abrams, Brian Perez, Tyler Perez, Liam Perez, Faraj Phang, Yasser Phang, Dakota Guiness, Alrick Willie, Jeremiah Phang, Amiah Phang, Jonathan Pang, Kylie Phang, Xavier Phang, Vanessa Jardine, Angelique Roman, Tamsyn Holder, Alaine Hoepel*, Dominic Jardine, Christopher Jardine, Romario Jardine, Amanda Jardine, Alannah Jardine, Raule Jardine, Dexter Jardine, Jose Jardine, Michelle Jardine*, Tricia Jardine, Kyle Jardine, Kaara Jardine, Jeremy Jardine, Marlon Antonio Jardine*,
Marisa Jardine, Michael Jardine, Malcolm Jardine
31 Great Great Grandchildren
Ethan Phang, Jayden Phang, Nathanya Griffith, Ahliyah Griffith, Bethany Roman, Alana Roman, Cascia Roman, Danielle Roman, Miranda Jardine, Richard Mohabeer Jr., Avery Christopher, Sumehra Jardine, Liam Jardine, Antonio Jardine, Brookerana Jardine, Romario Jardine, Isabella Jardine, Makayla Jardine, Avenelle Jardine, Amiah Jardine, Kristen Jardine, Julio Jardine, Fernando Jardine, Angelique Jardine, Jessica Jardine, Matthew Jardine,
Julianne Jardine, Ashley Jardine, Tenisha Jardine, Eshanna Jardine, Jermine Jardine
4 Great Great Great Grandchildren
Analisa Jardine, Diamond Levi, Daniel Levi, Arya Weekes
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, University Drive Chapel. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, November 9, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery.