Violet reaches a century
Staff members and residents at Primrose’s Protea Retirement Village celebrated one of their resident’s 100th birthday.
Protea Retirement Village’s Violet Irene Whitbread celebrated her 100th birthday on June 6.
The celebrations took place at the home, situated in Primrose.
“Staff, residents, management and members of the board cleared their schedules to be part of the milestone celebration,” said the nursing services manager at Protea Retirement Village, Liyana Grobler.
Born in England, in 1916, Violet grew up in a village called Willingale.
Willingale is a village in the Epping Forest district of Essex.
“Violet found love and married Charles in 1937 and they had one son, Ian,” said Grobler.
“The couple moved to Cape Town in 1985 after they visited their son and his wife, Jeanine.
“They liked what they saw and decided to relocate.
“In 1993, the family relocated to Johannesburg.
“Among other things, Violet was among those who worked in the fields, picking up cotton flowers during World War Two.
“She worked as a teacher her whole life but took up a number of hobbies.
“She took up art lessons, joined the paint and palette group and got involved with the knitting circle at the Edenvale Community Centre.
“Gardening was also among her many hobbies, a person of many trades indeed.”
Grobler also said that Violet lost her husband.
“Violet’s husband died in 2005 at the age of 94,” she said.
“A year before her husband’s death, Violet’s sight took a turn for the worse and she became blind.
“This, however, didn’t discourage her as she continued knitting squares which her family and friends joined together to make a beautiful blanket.
“She is a very talented and artistic woman.”
The charismatic 100-year-old had a special birthday wish.
“Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II mailed Violet a letter wishing her a happy birthday,” explained Grobler.
“The letter reads: ‘I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your 100th birthday on June 6, 2016. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion.’
“She, Violet, was humbled and moved by the letter and the party we planned for her.
“Karel Jankowitz, chairman of the Germiston Association for the Aged (GAFA) Board, also shared a few words at the party.
“She is a phenomenal woman and we love her.”
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