Philomen ‘Eldica’ Nicholas Is 110 Years Old

On Wednesday, Philomen’ Eldica’ Nicholas , affectionately known as Miss Eldica, Ma Dico, or Ma Nicholas, marked a remarkable milestone as she celebrated her 110th birthday. At her age, she qualifies as an extremely rare supercentenarian- a person who is 110 years old or older. Her great-granddaughter, Christa St. Ange, shared insights into the centenarian’s rich background and enduring spirit, highlighting her deep roots in Saint Lucia and her remarkable journey through life. Born on October 23, 1914, in Dauphin, a village in La Borne, Nicholas spent over 80 years in Grand Riviere. Christa noted that although her great-grandmother was never formally educated, she cherished her few days in adult literacy night classes. “Granny was able to recall the few days… she said she didn’t spend too long,” Christa explained. Despite this formal limited education, Nicolas takes pride in her ability to spell her name and other words, often demonstrating this skill to visitors. Nicolas has worked primarily in agriculture throughout her life, contributing to her family’s livelihood. Crista recounted, “Granny grew up in a rural community… where she worked on Marquis Estate.” This connection to the land and community remains a central aspect of her identity. Nicholas is part...