105 years, five generations Miss Mac leaves a legacy of love

Iscilda McCootie lived long enough to watch her family grow across five generations, becoming a beloved matriarch whose presence stretched far beyond her immediate household.

For 105 years, the woman affectionately known in her Llandewey, St Thomas, community as ‘Miss Mac’, warmed the hearts of countless people whom she encountered with her gentle spirit, calm demeanour and enduring smile. However, after a life marked by faith, hard work, warmth and love, she died peacefully on August 25, leaving behind a legacy that family members hope will live on through the generations she helped to shape.

Her youngest child, Morris Luton, remembers a mother who lived a beautiful life.

“Mom lived a beautiful and meaningful life. She gave us unconditional love and taught us the value of hard work, honesty and decency. She insisted that we carry ourselves with dignity through every season of life. We are grateful to God for her life,” he said.

Born on February 21, 1921, Miss Mac was the daughter of Alfred McCootie and Amanda Davis Reid. She became the mother of nine biological children: Burdel, who is deceased, Vienne, Gloria, Ken, Frenton, Dolly, Calma, Vanyah and Morris.

Her nine children were only part of her legacy, as she became a mother figure to countless others throughout her life.

Over her 105 years, her family grew to 44 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild, though some of those descendants have since passed on. Together, they form a remarkable family legacy spanning generations.

Faith was a cornerstone of Miss Mac’s life. A member of Bethlehem Prayer House Church of God, she held firmly to the beliefs that carried her through more than a century of life. One of her favourite hymns was Praise the Lord, Praise Him, a song that reflected the gratitude and devotion that remained central to her life.

Before retiring, Miss Mac was a dressmaker who took great pride in her craft. She was also a farmer and market vendor, embracing the hard work that came with providing for and caring for her family.

Her remarkable life was previously featured in THE STAR in February 2021, when the newspaper reported on her 100th birthday celebrations.

Five years later, however, the family is preparing to say its final goodbye as they lay their beloved Mama to rest on September 26.

For Vanyah, her mother’s remarkable age does little to ease the pain of losing her. After 105 years of life, the goodbye is still difficult.

“Although Mama was blessed with 105 years of life, saying goodbye to her is still incredibly difficult. She was more than our mother; she was our anchor and our compass,” Vanyah said.

Still, amid the grief, the family is finding comfort in the life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind.

“We have to accept that God has called her home, cherish the beautiful memories she left us with and do our best to preserve her legacy for generations to come,” she added.