‘I feel good’ | Old Harbour Bay centenarian Nellie Pennycooke reacts to national honour after 40-plus years to postal service

‘Miss Nellie’ has always been a beacon of professionalism for thousands of Jamaicans not only in the St. Catherine South West division but practically all over the island as throughout her extensive career she has been stationed at various outlets and outposts far and wide, oftentimes in some deep rural parts of various parishes that most people may have found daunting. But not ‘Miss Nellie’. When some people consider being uprooted and sent to another parish or location to work, they may suffer the anxiety and apprehension that comes with the thought of starting over. However, Mrs. Pennycooke would approach each posting with the vigour and vitality of a woman on a mission to serve whenever and wherever she was needed. It was this faithful and fulsome service delivered over 40-plus years that recently earned her national honours, as she was recognised by the Governor General on Heroes Day at King’s House, receiving the badge of honour for long and faithful service in recognition for meritorious service to the Post Office of Jamaica.

For Nellie Pearl Pennycooke, her recent recognition is a big deal. The former post mistress was so moved to see, speak to and shake hands with Sir Patrick Allen that she jokingly told a friend that she did not intend to wash her hands after her encounter with the king’s representative. At the ripe young age of one hundred, Nellie Pennycooke is a national treasure that her family and friends recently celebrated both her chronological milestone plus national recognition in fine style. 

When asked about her thoughts on her national honours, ‘Miss Nellie’ said that it was probably her proudest moment and one that she will definitely remember, even though she already has 100 years’ worth of memories in storage. “Well, I feel good. I went to King’s House which I never got an opportunity to visit before,” she said during an Old Harbour News exclusive. “After 40 plus years I finally got to go there and see the Governor General who shook my hand. I told someone that I wasn’t going to wash it again!”

As she shared her story, ‘Miss Nellie’ said she was very fortunate to have found her niche early in life. “I started at the post office at age 19,” recalled Pennycooke. “Back then, someone had to recommend you to get a job so I went for the interview and was successful. No one ever complained as I gave them good service over the years. I really enjoyed my job and enjoyed everywhere I was stationed because the people and I got along very well. They loved me.”

Over the years she has been posted all over the island in parishes like Hanover, St. James and St. Catherine. She has lived in districts like Lottery and Gregory Park but it was when she accepted her final posting in Old Harbour Bay where she spent the last 12 years of her career that her duties as post mistress became so integral to the development and growth of the community, that residents realised how much she took her role and responsibilities seriously.

Often times she went over and beyond the call of duty, especially when it came to delivering telegrams. Back in the day when people got summoned to go to the embassy or if they had applied to university or college, they would get a telegram about their appointment with the interview date being sometimes a day or two away and she would, along with her sure-footed children, be running up and down to deliver these telegrams at all hours of the night. She would deliver even on weekends because she knew how important these opportunities were for people. Also, if packages got torn, she would painstakingly repair the parcels and boxes because she just always took pride in her work and people really appreciated that about her.

Indeed everyone admires and appreciates a centenarian and ‘Miss Nellie’ who turned 100 on October 7, was thrilled when her family, many of whom flew into the island, threw her a big bash to celebrate her major milestone. Over 52 family members, including her seven children, 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren were present as well as longtime friends, all gathered at the church hall to pay homage to her, her contribution to the Old Harbour community and all her other accomplishments.

However, Old Harbour Bay is a far cry from where she originated. According to ‘Miss Nellie’, she is a water baby as she was born in Negril. “Yes I was born in Negril on the beach. That’s why I love water so much and I love fishing and just being around water. My secret for a long and happy life is to always honour thy father and mother so that your days will be long,” she said. “What I wish for Jamaica is to bring back kindness and get rid of wickedness on the land. Back in the day we never knew about guns. It was only when we were under British rule and we saw the big ships with the white sailors who had their weapons that we would run and hide. We were children who did not know any better. That is about as close to guns that we came.” 

Just like the rest of the family, Mrs. Pennycooke’s children are pleased that their mother has been recognised. Her daughter Joan, the last of her seven children, shared that with her attaining 100 years on Earth, they wondered at the many years that have passed since she retired but are still appreciative as recognition delayed is still recognition well deserved.

“It was a great feeling. It was a bit of a surprise that she was just recognised now as she has been retired from the post office for many years but still I am grateful that she received this honour while she is still in her right mind.  I am truly proud that she was honoured for the part she played in building stronger and better communities, not only in Old Harbour Bay, but right across Jamaica,” she tells Old Harbour News.