Doris Cecelia Lezama, more affectionately called “Mother” or “Ma Lezama”, has indeed mothered a well-known and long-standing Catholic family of Arima.

Born to Lebrun Le Gendre and Etwaria Ramtahal in St Joseph on April 14, 1907, she was the first of two siblings, both girls, from that union. However, she spent her formative years with the Fabricio de Matas family, also of St Joseph.

Doris Cecelia Lezama with some of her children

Later, she met and got married in 1934 to her beloved Hubert Fabien Lezama, a fine Catholic gentleman.

They were the first couple so to do at the then new Valencia RC Chapel and immediately settled in Arima.

Hubert was a truly devoted husband and father and together, he as a barber and she as a seamstress, they brought up two sons and six daughters. They have 17 grand and 15 great grandchildren. He died in 1964 at the age of 56 years.

Like her husband, Ma Lezama lived for her family and inculcated in her children that they be always well-disciplined and industrious.

Her 100th birthday celebration held at the Santa Rosa parish hall on Saturday, April 14, was attended by many relatives and friends including Fr Patrick Brennan and Msgr Urban Peschier.

Flying in from Toronto for the occasion were her daughter, Zorina and son, Peter accompanied by his wife, Joyce and son, Justin. The 5.00 p.m. Mass that day was offered for her in thanksgiving.

All close to her join in saying: Thank you, Mother, for being a vital companion on our respective journeys, guiding us with the wisdom of your years. May God continue to bless and keep you.