Posted in Celebrating Life, Love and Blessings

Wrapped in Love: Celebrating 103 Precious Years of Ivy Nasib nee Aking

There are some lives that do not need grand announcements to be extraordinary. They simply shine — quietly, steadily, faithfully — for more than a century.

Photo credit: Pinterest

To live to 103 years is a rare and beautiful blessing. To live to 103 years and almost reach 104 — passing just three weeks short of that milestone — feels especially tender. It is as if heaven gently whispered, “Well done. Come home and rest.”

This gentle soul, Ivy Nasib, did not just live long. She lived deeply.

Imagine the span of 103 years. Ivy Nasib’s life began before so much of the modern world existed. She witnessed global change, including events like World War II, and lived to see grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren in a digital age.

That kind of longevity is not merely about years — it is about endurance.

Through changing seasons, shifting cultures, and trials that come with life, her life remained steady. There were undoubtedly losses, challenges, and moments of uncertainty. Yet there were also celebrations, laughter around tables, shared meals, whispered prayers, and warm embraces.

One hundred and three years hold thousands of ordinary days — and it is often in the ordinary where true beauty lives.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

One of the greatest comforts is knowing that she was surrounded by loved ones when she peacefully passed. Hers is a family filled with love which is a circle of warmth, where every heart is valued and every voice is heard. It is a safe place of comfort and strength, where kindness grows and memories are made together. There is also something profoundly sacred about being held in love at the very end of a long and faithful journey.

Photo Credit: India in Trinidad & Tobago (High Commission of India, Port of Spain)

The same hands she once held — children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren — were near her. The same family she nurtured stood beside her. After 103 years of giving, guiding, and caring, she was wrapped in the warmth she had poured out for decades.

What a beautiful full circle.

Three Weeks Short of 104

There is something especially touching about passing three weeks before 104. If she were here today it would be her 104th birthday but her passing reminds us that life is not measured in perfect milestones. It is measured in impact. Whether 103 years or 104, the legacy remains complete.

A century plus three years is a profound testimony of strength. It speaks of resilience, adaptability, and a heart that kept beating through changing decades. It speaks of a soul that stayed, that endured, that trusted.

Even so, 103 years can feel too short when love runs that deep.

A Life That Blesses Generations

To gather around someone who lived to 103 years is to feel rooted. It is to understand continuity. It is to see four or even five generations connected by one steady life.

Ivy Nasib leaves behind so many precious memories — stories told at family gatherings, recipes prepared with care, quiet advice given at just the right time, gentle smiles that reassured worried hearts. These memories are treasures no time can erase.

Her presence brought calm.
Her voice carried reassurance.
Her life modeled patience and faith.

And though she has stepped into eternal rest, her imprint remains — in the values she instilled, the kindness she practiced, and the love that continues to ripple through her family.

A Gentle Reminder to Us All

A 103-year life reminds us that longevity is not simply about adding years. It is about filling those years with meaning.

It invites us to:

  • Slow down.
  • Treasure family.
  • Practice gratitude daily.
  • Choose peace over pride.
  • Live with quiet faith.

Passing three weeks short of 104 does not diminish the miracle. It completes it.

One hundred and three years of breath.
One hundred and three years of resilience.
One hundred and three years of love.

And in the end, Ivy Nasib remained surrounded by that love.

May we honor her beautiful soul not only by remembering how long she lived — but by living our own days with the same gentle grace she embodied.

Posted in Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life

Celebrating the Life of My Grandmother

As they say, the loss of a loved one is a a void that cannot be filled and the memories we have are our comfort. My grandma was not just my grandma but she was special. Growing up I didn’t know my Dad’s mom because she passed away before my parents got married. She was my Mom’s mom Grand-mom and she wore many hats.

To lose a grandmother is to lose an anchor in the family — the keeper of traditions, the storyteller of generations, the one whose love reached beyond time. Her absence leaves an empty chair, but her presence lingers in every word she shared, every prayer she once whispered. Though her hands have rested, her legacy continues — in the lives she shaped, in the love she sowed, and in the strength she passed down.

My grandmom, the late Jassodra Dookie was known by many as Celia or Lady Celia. Many know her as the lady who sold plantain in the Point Fortin Market for many years. Many in the village would remember the early mornings when she and my Grandfather would toil in their garden and they also did that for many years. That in summary captures their hardworking nature and as they got older, that became something they both had to ease up doing. They were a team and they worked together.

She was a very giving person and this is one of the many things she will be remembered for. Her life was filled with giving and giving freely. So, let me ask: Is there a story in a name? “Jassodra”

Putting together pieces, one could infer that:

“Jassodra” might be a variant or relative of Jasoda/Yashoda.

If so, it might carry similar resonances: mother-figure, someone with goodness or kindness.

For as far back as I could remember, as mentioned my Grandma was a very hardworking woman. This hard work was a rhythm she lived by through her entire life and she was very independent in that she did what she needed to. Whether in her home or in her garden, or in the market, she poured herself fully into every task. Her life was filled with giving and giving freely. More so, when you caught her laughter or her smile, know it was one to treasure.

Her love was not quiet—it was felt in the way she welcomed people and she loved giving advice because this was her very nature. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin and friend of many. 

While we as her grandkids have lost a grandmother, her sisters have lost their eldest sister, my Mom and her siblings have lost their Mom, our kids have lost their great- grandmom, her nieces and nephews have lost an aunt, and yes, I could go on, but I am saying all of this to stress on the fact, that she will not be forgotten. Memories of her will bring comfort to those taking the lessons her life taught us and putting them to good use.

She loved to read and at times was known for a joke or two. Those who knew her knew she always bought newspapers and when she didn’t, would still get the newspapers to read. She showed us that strength is found not in the size of what you have, but in the care and effort you put into what you do.

Perhaps yes, her greatest gift was generosity. My grandmother gave freely and she never hesitated to share whatever she had, no matter how big or small.

Today, we celebrate her life not only with memories but with the lessons she leaves behind.

My grandmother may no longer be with us in person, but her spirit lives in our acts of love, every hard-earned success, every act of kindness we extend to others. Her life was a blessing, and her memory is a legacy we carry forward with gratitude.

Jassodra Dookie, also known as Celia, will be lovingly remembered as:

Daughter of: Puloo & Kola Ramlakhan (both deceased)

Wife of: Ramlal Dookie (deceased)

Mother of: Doris, Dora, Dolsie, Bena, Jaggernauth, Rajdaye & Kaysika Devi (deceased)

Sister of: Betty, Sita, Vinda, Rookmin (deceased), Sookraj (deceased), Doodnath (deceased) & Bharose (deceased)

Grandmother of: Rachael Ann, Ria, Ricky, Sasha, Adesh, Rishi, Imran, Candice, Sarah Lynn, Vincent, Leah, Premnauth, Susan, Joseph & Josiah

Great Grandmother of: Richie Lee, Kaytlyn, Yadu Datta, Regan, Rayaz, Renissa, Ezra, Marissa, Amelia, Alissa, Sofia, Stephon, Emma, Levi, Enoch, Lilly Ann & Lucas

Granddaughter of: Sonia & Ramnauth Sadoo

Aunt of: Merlin, Anjie, Anita, Sharda, Ria, Pradeep, Manoj, Michael, Nina, Stephen, Vishal, Roopa, Deepa, Narvin, Nellie, Indar & many others

Cousin of: Rose, Baby, Jai, Deokie, Sai, Vihar & many others

Niece of: Uncle Premchand Mahabirsingh

Daughter-in-law of: Gobin Dookie

Mother-in-law of: Winston, Rajesh, Hosein, Rosemarie, Sharaz & Ramjit (deceased)

Sister-in-law of: Ram & Ashford

Relative of: the Dookie’s, Atal’s & many others

Friend of: Tanty Golly, Doolin & many others

The passing of a loved one reminds us of life’s preciousness. It teaches us to cherish every moment, to express love and gratitude without delay, and to forgive where we can. Life is fleeting, and in its impermanence, we learn to focus on what truly matters—relationships, kindness, and leaving a positive mark on the world. Though loss brings pain, it also brings clarity: to live with purpose, to embrace the small joys, and to treasure the memories that keep those we love alive in our hearts.

Some meaningful lessons include:

  1. Value Time: Life is short, so spend time on what truly matters—family, friends, passions, and experiences.
  2. Express Love and Gratitude: Don’t wait to say “I love you” or “thank you.” People may not always be around.
  3. Live with Purpose: Death reminds us to live intentionally and make a positive impact while we can.
  4. Embrace Forgiveness: Holding grudges wastes precious energy; life is too short to carry anger.
  5. Appreciate the Small Things: Everyday moments—laughter, nature, a kind word—gain significance when we reflect on life’s fragility.
  6. Acceptance of Impermanence: Life is fleeting; learning to accept change and loss brings peace.
  7. Leave a Legacy: Our actions, love, and memories live on in others—focus on what you want to be remembered for.
  8. Prioritize Health and Well-being: Life’s unpredictability teaches us to care for ourselves and others.