Elsie turns 100
A mother of three, a grandmother to five and a great-grandmother to four, Elsie is overjoyed to have lived for 100 years which many can only wish or rather hope for.
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.
A mother of three, a grandmother to five and a great-grandmother to four, Elsie is overjoyed to have lived for 100 years which many can only wish or rather hope for.
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 nine 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.
The family expressed gratitude towards everyone who attended Elsie’s 100th birthday saying such an act of kindness made Elsie feel special and loved by the community.
Ward 23 councillor Sarah Wissler said she is proud to have been a part of Elsie’s life as she turned 100.
“It is a milestone in my ward to have a centenarian and we thank Graham and Jeannette for doing a great job in taking care of the elderly. We are blessed to have people of good works in our ward,” she said.
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 who is loved by everyone.
Elsie’s family is also organising some celebrations for her birthday on Sunday as most of the family members could not make it today due to different work engagements.
Duncan House in Rispark is a home facility which has been taking in grannies to care for and shelter them. They currently house and care for 13 grannies.
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