By Beth David, Editor
West Island’s self-proclaimed mayor, Terry Pereira celebrated her 90th birthday at the West Island Improvement Association on Saturday, 4/27/24. Friends, neighbors, and family gathered in a festive mood to eat, drink and tell stories.
Two relatives penned “Roses Are Red” poems, including in them lots of fun little details about the great grandmother’s life. Ms. Pereira is famous for her “Roses Are Red” poems, reciting them on numerous occasions over the years.
Dubbed “the Portuguese YaYa, with three children, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, she did not hesitate for a second when asked what her secret is for aging well.
“Kale soup,” she said. “Eating a lot of kale soup.”
Homemade, of course.
It’s also known as “Baseball Soup,” she said because, “You eat it while they play baseball.”
Apparently, her grandson Cam Durant, makes a mean pot of kale soup.
“And, I like people,” said Ms. Pereira, adding to get “Brownie point for heaven,” she just tries to get along with people.
Although, judging by the jokes in the poems, she doesn’t pull any verbal punches when she disagrees with someone. But, she still says “hello.”
“Don’t hold a grudge,” she said. “And hange around with a lot of young people.”
Which is easy for the energetic great grandmother.
“The best day is when I’m with her,” said her great-granddaughter Reagan Durant.
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