These are the words of the old and beautiful Minnie Burfitt who celebrated her 105th birthday on August 7.
The Old People’s Home resident said she feels blessed to have lived a wonderful life.
She celebrated her birthday with friends at the home in Woburn Avenue, Western Extension.
Residents and staff from the facility sang and danced to help Burfitt celebrate the occasion, while JJ Stephens entertained residents.
Burfitt’s family took her out for breakfast on the day.
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 her now late husband, Harry Burfitt.
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.
“I was blessed with 69 years of marriage; I loved that man because of his love and kindness,” Burfitt said.
They were blessed with two daughters, Dorothy Lotter and Shirley Short.
One of Burfitt’s favourite things to do was to play bowls with her husband at the Geldenhuys Deep Bowling Club in Malvern East.
“She played bowls until her 80s and was also president of the club,” said Lotter.
“She also loved singing and was in a choir back in England,” added Lotter, who was at her mother’s birthday celebration.
When her husband died in 2009, she moved to The Old People’s Home.
“I love staying here because the staff are nice and everybody has been really amazing,” she said.
Her secret to living a healthy long life is keeping busy, leading an active lifestyle and keeping her mind active.
Burfitt is happy to have reached 105 – and counting.
“I appreciate everything my daughters have done for me; I’ve been well looked after,” she added.
Burfitt has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The Old People’s Home assistant manager, Alan Geddes, said it’s an honour and privilege to have Burfitt at the home.
“Of the four per cent of the oldest people on the planet, I know one of them and she knows my name,” said Geddes.
Learners from Arbor Pre-Primary School created a drawing for Burfitt and brought her flowers.
Also read: Residents enjoy Christmas in July
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