Old People’s Home resident in Western Extension celebrates 106th birthday
She's young at heart and going strong
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Minnie Burfitt was dressed for the occasion in a green two-piece skirt and blazer with a white shirt and pearls, as she celebrated her 106th birthday on August 7.
Friends and family gathered at the Old People’s Home in Western Extension to partake in the day’s festivities.
The Benoni High Pipe Band gave a special performance in honour of Burfitt.
“I’m so overwhelmed by this day, everything is so beautiful,” she said.
When asked what her secret was to living as long as she has, Burfitt said you must always keep busy and never sit around.
Burfitt loved playing bowls with her husband at the Geldenhuys Deep Bowling Club in Malvern East.
“Mom and dad did bowling until they were 80 years old,” said one of her daughters, Shirlee Short.
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Burfitt said having two lovely children, Dorothy Lotter and Shirlee, and her loving husband, the late Harry Burfitt, were also part of the reason for her long life.
Apart from being a lover of sport, Burfitt listed baking as one of her other hobbies.
She was born on August 7, 1912, at Barrow-In-Furness in England.
She was one of two siblings.
When she was 21 her family moved to South Africa where they stayed in Malvern, Johannesburg.
She later got a job at a bakery and worked there until she was married.
In 1939, when World War II began, she married Harry.
They were married on December 26 at St Patrick’s Church in Malvern and spent their honeymoon in Durban.
After they were married they first stayed in Malvern. but later moved to Germiston.
Burfitt moved to the Old People’s Home in 2009 when her husband died.
Tea and cake were served to all the residents on the day.
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