Sunday Times 2
Queen Elizabeth congratulates Lankan centenarian Sybil Jacobs
View(s):Sri-Lankan born centenarian Sybil Jacobs received a personal greeting from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth when she celebrated her 100th birthday on December 12, 2019.
Sybil Jacobs with loved ones
The message said, “I am pleased to hear that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday. My sincere congratulations and best wishes on this very special day.” The special greeting signed by the Queen was accompanied by her photo.
Sybil’s 100th birthday was celebrated on a grand scale by her children and grandchildren along with family and friends in Melbourne.
Sybil also received warm wishes from the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison and the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau.
Born on December 12, 1919 to Mr and Mrs David Wanigasekera, Sybil was the eldest of 10 children – five girls and five boys. Her early education was at Good Shepherd Convent, Nuwara Eliya.
She was working at Musaeus College, Colombo when she met her husband Gladstone Jacobs, who had returned to Ceylon after serving in the British Army. She joined him in his export/import business, in addition to bringing up four children and maintaining a beautiful home.
Sybil and her family migrated to Australia in 1989. She instantly took an active part in the local council activities, and travelled overseas regularly to visit her siblings/family in Europe and Asia. Her friends in Melbourne adore her wit and stories of growing up in Sri Lanka during the latter years of the British rule.
She played a leading role in supporting her children and grandchildren. There has never been a dull moment in her life, working tirelessly during the day to relax at dusk with her favourite drink of brandy, that has earned her the affectionate nickname of ‘Brandy’. She remains active even at 100.