‘Everyone’s gran’ Glennis Nel dies age 78
Nel, who was fondly known as Gran by her loved ones, died on April 28 at the age of 78.
The family of Glennis Nel laid her to rest on Thursday (May 3) shortly after she celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary, which was reported on by the City Times.
READ:
Northmead couple celebrate their 60th anniversary
“We never thought this day would come; not so soon and not like this,” said her granddaughter, Kirsty Heath.
According to Heath, her grandmother was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“She was a neighbour and best friend, a good friend and my friend,” she said.
“She was ouma and gogo, Mrs G, Aunty Glennis and Cookie; she was everyone’s mother and everyone’s grandmother.”
Heath described her grandmother to be someone who was a safe harbour in a stormy sea, the gate you went to if you were hungry or cold, the hand you reached for when you were scared or lonely.
“It didn’t matter who you were, what you looked like, what social class you came from and what colour your skin was, granny had a place for you, a plate of food, a hug, a kind word and even the jersey off her back in one case.”
The Northmead resident was featured in the City Times in April after celebrating her 60th wedding anniversary with her husband, William ‘Billy’ Nel.
“We can only be grateful that Billy made that infamous U-turn when he rode past the beautiful Glennis in Benoni town almost 64 years ago,” Heath said.
When speaking to the City Times, William said his bride’s beauty is what caught his eye, but her big heart is what kept him around.
“The kind of love Gran had for us was a love without condition,” Heath said.
“She may not have approved of everything we did, may not have liked some of the decisions we made, but she didn’t lecture, she didn’t judge.
“She just loved us, let us know that she was there and if we ever needed her, we could count on her to listen, comfort and help.”
Heath quoted Albert Pine: What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others remains and is immortal.
“This is Gran’s legacy – this is what she has left every single person. You will be so dearly missed Gran,” she said.
The funeral took place at Northfield Methodist Church where Glennis Nel married William and christened all of her children.
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