She was frank when asked whether she felt her age on her 100th birthday, on July 20.
“No, not at all,” said the Slaterville resident.
“Don’t laugh, but I feel about 60 or round about there.”
Her recollection of certain life events was vague, but the Kroonstad-born woman moved to Benoni in 1936.
She worked for a local attorney as a typist and bookkeeper, then moved to East London when she was in her 20s to be with family.
After living there for two years, she relocated to Benoni to be with her boyfriend, Bertie Robinson, whom she married in 1941.
She was pregnant when her husband left for the war effort.
Ferriman said his life was spared during the north Africa battle of Sidi Rezegh, because he was sent home to be with his new born baby, Anthony Robinson (now 75).
Many of her husband’s friends died in the north Africa battle.
Her daughter, Louise Knell (now 62), was born from the same marriage.
They were married for 25 years before her husband, Bertie died.
The centenarian married Ivor Ferriman in 1965 and lived in Colseberg for four years, before returning to Benoni.
Her second husband died in 2005.
Ferriman said she is still “very fit” and still cooks, bakes and sews, despite breaking her leg four years ago.
“She just has such a strong will,” said her granddaughter, Sandra Knell.
“When she fell and broke her leg, the doctor said she would never walk again, but she said she would walk out of the hospital.
“A few months later she could walk with the aid of a walker.”
By the time the City Times interviewed her, she had already had two parties with two still pending – and she had been interviewed on Nick Hamman’s 5FM show, which turned out to be “quite exciting”.
Her first trip to a radio studio was organised by her granddaughter, Sandra.
“I thought it was fun,” she said, but added she wouldn’t do another radio interview because “I have told them everything.”
Ferriman has two children, six grand-children and 12 great-grandchildren.
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