BIOGRAPHY

Thelwell was born Estella Clarke in Hanover, Jamaica, on 18 February (claimed 14th) 1911 to parents were Simon Clarke and Adelaide Patterson. She grew up in the hills of Burntside in Eastern Hanover, Jamaica.

In 1935, she married Rudolph Thelwell. After the marriage, she moved to Patty Hill. The couple had 14 children. During her life, she was a midwife and dressmaker and operated a grocery shop.

Her husband died at the age of 62. As a centenarian, she was still a member of the United Church. She claimed to be related to Sir Alexander Bustamante (the first prime minister of Jamaica), by her father’s side, and P.J. Patterson (the 6th prime minister) by her mother’s side.

Thelwell died in Patty Hill, Hanover, Jamaica on 4 July 2021, at the age of 110 years, 136 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Stefan Maglov, and validated by LongeviQuest on 31 January 2023, making her the second validated supercentenarian who died in Jamaica, after Violet Brown (1900–2017).

ATTRIBUTION

GALLERY