Mother of 15 walked 18 miles to celebrate 80th birthday
A woman who gave birth to 15 children took an 18-mile walk to observe her eightieth birthday on Sunday.
Margie Sommersell of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was joined by family members and friends as she walked from Palmyra to Fyrish – the village where she was born.
“I decided that for my 80th birthday, I am going to walk and go back to my village. I love walking. Every afternoon I walk from home to the East Bank of Berbice and back,” she told Guyana Times.
Margie Sommersell and some of her relatives on Sunday morning
Sommersell worked as a bus conductor with the Transport and Harbours Department. She retired at age 55 and sought employment as a security guard until 2021.
It was only then that she started walking. During her school days, she refused to get involved in athletics.
“If a race didn’t have someone at school sports and they tell me to go and run, I would say no. I only played circle tennis.”
Now on a daily basis, she leaves home around 15:00h for her walk which covers more than 10 miles and she would return by 18:00h.
She still takes care of a flower garden on a daily basis. Family members related that the elderly woman would walk to the hospital if she has to go for a check-up and even walk to the market.
Sommersell leading the way during the 18-mile walk
“Walking is very important for my health. It keeps every bone in my body active. I don’t have any pain. I don’t trouble with any sickness,” Sommersell declared.
She is encouraging people to pay more attention to their health. With 32 grandchildren so far, Sommersell is already planning for her next birthday.
“I want to walk from New Amsterdam to Kildonan and back.” That is a distance of about 45 miles. Sommersell said her father was from that village.
And planning even further ahead, she said that for her 100th birthday, she will be doing a special walk.
