Ida Stewart
- Full name: Ida Stewart (née Gordon)
- Lifespan: (13.11.1896 – 12.11.2010)
- Age: 113 years, 364 days
- Birthplace: Alexandria, Saint Ann, Jamaica
- Last residence: St. Ann’s Bay, Saint Ann, Jamaica
- Application date: 22.06.2013
- Validation date: 22.05.2016
- Validation source: Dr. Patricia Holness/Anson Davis/et al.
Biography
Ida Louise Gordon came into the world on November 13, 1896, in Alexandria, Saint Ann, Jamaica. Although she initially claimed a birthdate of November 5, 1886, a birth certificate revealed her actual birth year to be 1896, making her 10 years younger than her assertion. Ida was one of thirteen siblings, surpassing them all in longevity. On June 2, 1928, she married Leonard Stewart, and together they had a daughter named Edna (1922–2008). Her husband, Leonard, passed away in 1988.
In 2003, Ida expressed that she had no secret formula for her remarkable longevity. Despite facing arthritis and occasional bouts of the common cold, she remained relatively free from serious ailments. However, her health declined significantly by January 2009, when she mentioned being in pain during an interview, stating, “I am sick, man. My whole body in pain, so I’m only waiting for my call, but as mi roll nuh call yet, I must be satisfied. This world is not my home, I’m only here for a few days. When God is ready, I have to go. I’m not well; I only talk to you because di tongue nuh drop yet.”
Her claims were substantiated by The Registrar General’s Department (RGD), which uncovered her birth certificate, supporting 1896 as her birth year. The RGD also verified the marriage of her parents, who wed on November 29, 1893, in Long Hill, Saint Ann.
In November 2010, Ida’s health took a sudden turn, leading to her hospitalization at St Ann’s Bay Hospital, where she passed away on November 12, 2010, just one day shy of her 114th birthday. At the time of her death, she held the distinction of being the oldest person to have ever lived in Jamaica. Her funeral service at the Devon Seventh-day Adventist Church took place on November 28, and she was laid to rest. Lillian Anderson succeeded her as Jamaica’s oldest living person.
Longevity Recognition
- Doyenne of Jamaica (until 12.11.2010)
- Longevity Recordholder of Jamaica (until 10.03.2014)
Validation
The age of Ida Stewart was meticulously examined and verified by Dr. Patricia Holness of the Registrar General’s Department, Jamaica, Anson Davis, et al. The initial application was received on June 22, 2013. The validation was conducted by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on May 22, 2016.
Ida Stewart at age 112 in February 2009, with Dr. Patricia Holness.
Dr Patricia Holness of the Registrar General’s Department, kisses centenarian Ida Gordon at her home in Lime Tree Garden, St Ann, while family and friends look on. – Photo by Carl Gilchrist.
Photo courtesy of Jamaica Gleaner.
