Eighty years young
“My mom is great for eighty. She is still very active and can put many younger ladies to shame,” Lynn laughed.
DOREEN Claxton (nee Dodd) turned 80 years old on July 19 and celebrated her special birthday the day before, with a delicious tea with friends.
Born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), she attended school there and then went into nursing. She married Bill Claxton, whose family owned tobacco farms and together they managed a farm with tobacco, maize and cattle. They had three children, Lynn, Richard and Mark and six grandchildren.
“The farms had been in the family for over 60 years. We had some very good times while we lived there and regularly entertained friends. Our staff were wonderful and became part of our ‘family’. In 2002 we lost our farm when it was taken by the government and so we moved to a small garden flat in Harare. Bill passed away in 2009 and I remained there until 2013, when my daughter Lynn asked me to move to Johannesburg.
Doreen lives in the South with Lynn and enjoys her days catching up with friends who still live in Harare. It’s much easier now with Facebook and Skype,” added Doreen.
She also enjoys a little light gardening and flower arranging, as well as crossword puzzles.
“My mom is great for eighty. She is still very active and she can put many younger ladies to shame,” Lynn laughed.
Doreen thanked everyone for her beautiful gifts, which included miniature rose plants, flowers and chocolates.
Also Read:
Women’s group which makes a world of difference
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Alberton Record: 060 644 5264 Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
