60 centenarians in Malta

Floriana-born Catherine Enriquez has joined the growing number of centenarians.

There are about 60 persons over the age of 100 in Malta, of whom two thirds are women. Close to 350 are aged between 95 and 99, again of whom only a third are men.

Mrs Enriquez is actually 100 years and a month old, having celebrated her birthday on November 3.

Although she is living at the Charella residential home for the elderly, in Sliema, up to a few years ago she lived with her niece, Jane Bajada in Sliema.

Mrs Bajada described her aunt as "strong as a 60-year old".

"She is on no medication whatsoever. She is a bit hard of hearing lately and stays in a wheelchair most of the time, but can get up and walk when assisted. You would not be able to tell that she is 100.

"I looked after my aunt for 31 years but when she reached 95 she wanted to live in the home where she is now. She had been going there during the day and eventually expressed the wish to move in," she said.

Mrs Enriquez was born in Floriana in 1904 and lived in Valletta until 1973. She then moved to Sliema, where she lived with Mrs Bajada.

She was married, but had no children. Her husband died 33 years ago.

"In her heyday she used to travel a lot, and in summer her husband closed the shop he had in Valletta for a month and they used to go to Spain, Italy or visit her brother in the UK. But on the whole she lived a very simple life, enjoying its simple pleasures," Mrs Bajada said.