Community mourns death of Morningside vendor, Shirley Pretorius

WELL-KNOWN and much-loved Morningside vendor, Shirley Pretorius, lost her courageous battle to kidney failure, and passed away peacefully at King Edward Hospital on Sunday.

Shirley, who became a popular face in the area selling dog blankets outside Windermere Centre with her son, Allan for many years, was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease earlier this year. She had been waiting on dialysis to treat her condition. Despite her failing health, Shirley returned to work with Allan in August after a long absence, showing her tenacity and will to provide for her family.

Family friend, Steven van der Meer, said after being referred to Albert Luthuli Hospital on 3 December for a possible dialysis appointment, her condition rapidly deteriorated to such a point as to require emergency treatment by the staff at King Edward Hospital on Thursday night, 12 December. He said however, despite the excellent help received there, she slipped away on Sunday at 9am.

“Shirley was managing to cope sufficiently in spite of her very frail condition prior to the Albert Luthuli Hospital appointment. They then extracted four tubes of blood for testing in order to assess her condition for possible dialysis. Being anaemic, the removal of so much blood for testing may have been too excessive for her frail health, and she returned home that day already feeling a lot worse, nauseous and weak. The sudden downward spiral of her health from that day on was very noticeable, digressing into very painful muscles and nerves, no longer eating or drinking, and finally, loss of feeling in her legs and feet, and not being able to stand anymore,” said Steven.

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I met Shirley many years ago and was blown away by her strong faith and her love for Allan, who was the world to her. I had first noticed Shirley and Allan sitting alongside the road by Windermere Centre, and was interested to know their story. On approaching them, Shirley welcomed my attention and was happy to chat to me about her interesting life and about her beloved son. I left that day looking forward to sharing the inspiring story of this woman who fought against many hardships to get to where she was, and to earn an honest living for her family.

Over the years I met with Shirley and Allan many times to put together articles to thank the community for their assistance, such as when Allan needed new batteries for his wheelchair and people came through for them. Then there were articles to highlight a donation of a new sign for their ‘stall’ or gratitude for a donation of money, and this year, for the community’s help with donations of meals and funds while Shirley was ill and couldn’t work.

She became a friend, and my heart is sore at the loss of this wise woman, who was someone people would stop and talk to, just to get advice and encouragement, as you would never leave Shirley’s presence without feeling blessed in some way.

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What stood out during this year when I visited Shirley at home, sick in bed, and again, back out on the road, working to support her family, was that she was a strong, determined woman who would stop at nothing to provide for her husband and son. She was a woman who loved God and was always happy to speak about Him and His impact on her life. Her presence will surely be missed.

On behalf of the family, Steven said: “The loss of this woman who was so faithful to her family, and a great blessing to many others, especially to the poor, has been a very great grief to her frail husband and son. The response from others thus far upon hearing of her death has been generally one of shock and disbelief, and sadness. Allan and myself will continue, with God’s mercy, to sell blankets on the same corner. Thanks to all who have so faithfully and kindly supported them over the years.”

He said funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

If anyone can assist financially, donations can be made into the following account, which has been opened on behalf of the family: Steven van der Meer, Bank: FNB, Branch: Florida Road, Account number: 62649759472, Branch code: 250655.

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