Bernice Rosalind Eugenia Sebastian Happy110thBirthday

9/21/2023

By Bonny Davis For Norristown Local

Bernice, who was born in 1913, is the oldest of the 12 children of Joseph Matthew and Inez Veronica Sebastian, 8 of whom survived to adulthood.

The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is located in the Leeward Islands chain in the Caribbean Sea These islands are known for their old-world charm, sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, beautiful foliage, and Bernice Rosalind Eugenie Sebastian, who made 110 years young on September 21st, 2023.

Bernice, who was born in 1913, is the oldest of the 12 children of Joseph Matthew and Inez Veronica Sebastian, 8 of whom survived to adulthood. She had half siblings, I was told by Bernice’s niece, Marie-Monique Marthol, when I spoke with her a few weeks ago. Marie’s mom, Elise, was one of Bernice’s sisters.

Bernice never married and had no children, but she has lots of nieces and nephews, as well as one sister and two half-sisters who reside in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and in Dominica in the Caribbean.

Marie proudly told me all about her “Auntie Bern”. At 5 years of age Bernice went to Miss Walters Private School and from there she went to the Girls School where, as a “Pupil teacher” (student teacher) she taught Math for 3 ½ years. Then, at 15 years old, after winning the Moravian Scholarship, she attended the Teachers’ Training College in Antigua for two years. While there she entered the Guiding Movement (Girl Scouts) as a Ranger (ages 14–18) and continued to do this when she returned to Saint Kitts After she graduated Bernice returned to Saint Kitts to continue her teaching career.