BIOGRAPHY

Hazel Barnard Cothrell was born in the North End neighbourhood of the Corn Islands, a pair of islands off the coast of Nicaragua, to Halford Barnard and Caroline Cothrell. She was one of eight siblings, all pairs of twins. Her father was originally from the Cayman Islands. When he was 12 years old, he moved to Corn Island with his parents. They were fishermen. Later, her father became a farmer, but he also continued going out to sea, catching turtles and traveling to other islands, including Colombia. He cultivated crops such as plantain, banana, cassava, and coconut. In her younger years, she worked for several companies on the island and recalled the visits of famous people who came there.

Barnard Cothrell married and had five children, as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. As a centenarian, she was affectionately known as “Miss Hazel” by locals. Her eyesight was sharp, and she could still sew. She also attended church every Sunday. At the age of 110, it was reported that she still sewed by hand, mending clothes for her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Hazel Barnard Cothrell died on 7 May 2022, at the age of 110 years, 94 days.

RECOGNITION

Hazel Barnard Cothrell was noted at the age of 103 in an article about the Corn Islands. Several Facebook posts were made celebrating her 110th birthday, and after her death.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Hazel Barnard Cothrell (born 1912)” – The World Elsewhere, 9 May 2015

* “Si, ya son 106 años y su sonrisa continúa tan brillante como nunca…” – 100% La Verdad, 9 February 2018

* “La mujer más longeva de Corn Island cumplió 110 años” – TN8, 3 February 2022

* “Miss Hazel Bernard Cathrell” – Alcaldía de Corn Island, 7 May 2022

* “Goodbye Mrs. Hazel” – Noticias De Bluefields, 7 May 2022

GALLERY