MoBay centenarian, Hazel Thompson dies four days after getting greetings from Pope Francis

BY HORACE HINES Staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, July 01, 2018

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Montego Bay businesswoman Hazel Thompson, who celebrated her 100th birthday in March, died peacefully at her Montego Bay home on Wednesday, four days after receiving congratulations from Pope Francis for her longevity.

The centenarian, who was also congratulated by the Queen of England, Elizabeth II on her 100th birthday, was a devout Christian and was of the view that her longevity was a manifestation of her Christian faith.

But, aside from her active church life, serving the Salvation Army, the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) — now Jamaican Foundation For Lifelong Learning (JFLL), among other activities, Thompson had fond memories of driving and horseback riding.

“I drove car at Dover Race Track,” she said earlier. “I won the race. I love driving and horseback riding; I prefer car driving (but) I love both of them,” she divulged during a visit by members of the Roman Catholic Church, on behalf of the pontiff. more