Mrs. Jarrett Turns 102

Family, friends, residents, and even an elected official arrived at the senior center at Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn on the afternoon of March 22 to celebrate Mrs. Carol Jarrett, who turned 102 years old. To mark the day, Mrs. Jarrett was happy to spend the day chatting with those who came to fete her, eating the food provided by the senior center and enjoying the flowers provided by Property Manager Ayodeji Festus.

Mrs. Jarrett, who is originally from Montego Bay in Jamaica, has been living in Kingsborough Houses for almost four decades. Before moving to Kingsborough Houses, Mrs. Jarrett and her late husband Lawford Joseph Jarrett founded and ran a primary school out of the garage of their home in Kingston, Jamaica. Over the years, they educated many children, and Mrs. Jarrett became a nurturer and caregiver in many students’ lives – many of whom she remains in touch with to this day.

After Mr. Jarrett passed away in 1979, and Mrs. Jarrett had to make multiple trips to NYC to take care of her aunts, Mrs. Jarrett moved her family to Brooklyn in the 1980s. As she continued raising her six children and taking care of her aunts, she became something of a maternal figure to many more children in Brooklyn.

Mrs. Jarrett’s daughter Grace described her mother as the “bedrock” of the family, and someone who, even at 102, continues to motivate her 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, keeping in close contact with all of them. Not only does she have a great relationship with them, she also likes to stay in touch with their friends, too, and never hesitates to pick up the phone to say hello to an old family friend.

“We have all done very well thanks to her strength,” Ms. Grace added.

And if you’re wondering what the secret to Mrs. Jarrett’s strength is, you might have to keep wondering.

According to Mrs. Jarrett, there is no secret to living to 102. Her favorite foods are fried green plantains, breadfruit, and fried fish. She said she eats everything she likes, loves church and her plants, used to greatly enjoy cycling, and continues to enjoy spending time with people. “The Good Lord is with me,” she added. “I believe in God, and I love people.”

For Grace, her mother’s longevity lies in her love for people and her warmheartedness.

For instance, when Mrs. Jarrett parts ways with someone, she doesn’t like to say goodbye, which implies she won’t see them again – instead, she prefers a simple (and appropriate) ‘Cheers.’