Elsie turns 101
A mother of three, a grandmother and a great-grandmother, Elsie is overjoyed to have lived for 101 years.
BORN in Johannesburg on June 19, 1918, at the peak of World War I, Elsie Heydenrych has lived to see and inspire four different generations of her family.
Having been raised by her father after her mother died when she was only two years old, Elsie learned to be a hard worker at a very young age and she strived to see her family prosper.
In the early stages of her life, Elsie was a keen bowler and she often played at the historical Crown Mines. She also worked as a shop assistant at Robinsons, while in her free time she did embroidery and beadwork on dresses.
After retiring, Elsie lived with one of her children until she was moved to the Renaissance Retirement Village, where she lived for 10 years.
She later moved into Duncan House Frail Care Centre, where she has been staying for the past 10 years.
“She loves Duncan House so much and is very comfortable there. She always says one of her greatest fears is that Jeannette and her husband Graham may close down the house and she will not have anywhere better to stay, she just loves it here,” said Phyllis Swarts, one of her daughters.
Owners of Duncan House Graham and Jeanette Duncan said they were proud to share the special moment with Elsie and said Elsie remains a jewel in the house and is loved by everyone.
“She is gracious and grateful,” Jeanette added. “She knows what she wants and at her age she is still very involved with the occupational therapists and the games they play. Elsie is friendly and kind to every one of the staff members who work with her.”
Duncan House in Rispark is a home facility which has been taking in grannies to care for and shelter for 21 years.
