Swim star turns 90
Benoni’s Lorna Cochran, a resident at Eddy House, Methodist Homes for the Aged, in the CBD, turned 90 on Wednesday, July 31.
Cochran broke the record as the oldest person ever to finish the Midmar Mile, held in Howick, in February.
This is the world’s largest swimming event, recognised by the Guinness World Records.
It was the 15th consecutive Midmar Mile she swam, starting from the age of 74.
Cochran was born in Ballengeich, Natal, in 1923, and completed her schooling at St Dominic’s Convent, in Newcastle, as a full time boarder, where she was already greatly active in swimming, tennis and hockey.
She married her late husband, Ewan Gray Cochran, in 1945.
They had seven children and today Lorna has 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild on the way.
For her birthday celebration, the family ventured to the Heia Safari Ranch, in Muldersdrift, for the weekend.
Cochran’s whole family was present, including some members from Australia, New York, Columbia and South Africa, except for two of her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who live in Australia.
Cochran worked for Barclays Bank in Springs after she had matriculated, and then married and became a housewife.
After the death of her husband she started working again, in various occupations, until the age of 70.
Her youngest daughter, Janet Friskin, said her mother is also a talented singer.
“She has a beautiful singing voice and has often sung at weddings,” she said.
Part of Cochran’s curriculum in school was the study of music and elocution.
When the City Times asked about her secret to living a long and healthy life, her reply was that, although she cannot recall anything specific, she thinks that having walked more in her life than driving to her destinations played a role.
“Nowadays life is so rushed and people stress all the time,” she added.
Cochran enjoys spending time line dancing, going to the Catholic Church, reading, going shopping on Wednesdays and playing Scrabble.
She still goes swimming at her local gym often.
An elderly woman who saw Cochran finish the Midmar Mile told her: “I saw you and thought: if she can do it, I can too”.
Her grandchildren designed a T-shirt and a flower hair-accessory for her to wear on her birthday, while Friskin composed a scrapbook, containing photographs of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“If every mother is treated the way I am, the world would be a pretty great place,” said Cochran.
“We would all like to wish her a very happy birthday on this special day, with rich blessings,” is a message from her children.
