Ruth celebrates 90 years of life and service to Berea community

RUTH Cartwright celebrated her 90th birthday in fine style with a surprise party ahead of the long weekend.

Ruth is quite an institution on the Berea, she grew up and spent most of her life across the road from the Manning Road Methodist Church where she made a huge impact on the community through her community service.

“I loved my church life and started as a child going to Sunday school, youth, later we did much community work, cooking, baking and sewing for those in need with the Women’s Auxiliary and Ladies Friendship Circle,” she said.

Ruth worked in the dental industry and at the exam office at Natal Tech until 1987 when she retired. She fondly recalled getting her first job quite accidentally. “I remember my mother needed to visit the dentist and I went along with her. She heard that he needed someone to help so it was arranged and I soon became a dental nurse,” she said.

Her only regret is not travelling as much as she would have liked, however she did travel in Europe when she was younger. “I also enjoyed a camping trip with the Girl Guides Association in Switzerland,” she recalled.

A very competent leader in the South African Girl Guides Association, Ruth was known as a very efficient woman who got things done.

“I was fortunate to always have good health and since I lived at home, I was well taken care of,” she joked.

Manning Road Methodist Church’s Reverend Lauren Matthew, said, “I’m always hearing awesome stories of her work as a founder member of our church who has contributed to the vitality of the church so it is an honour to be part of something as epic as her 90th birthday.”