WESTVILLE’s Pamela Myra Scott, who was a prominent member in the community, died peacefully in her sleep on 24 January.
She was born on 25 January, 1921 in Johannesburg but spent most of her childhood and early adulthood in Pretoria. She attended school at Sunnyside Primary School and then Pretoria Girls’ High School before pursuing her studies to be a dietitian.
She enlisted in the SA military after World War II broke out and was one of the first dietitians to go ‘up north’. She took up the position of First Lieutenant in charge of big military hospital kitchens. She was away for years and worked in Egypt, Libya and Italy. While she was away, she also did extensive tours of the Holy Land and Europe. Swimming across the Suez Canal and in the Dead Sea were just some of her many experiences.
She met George Scott, who was with the Natal Mounted Rifles, after she arrived ‘up north’. They used to see each other when they could and always wrote to each other. When the war ended, they returned to Durban (where George’s family lived), and were married in 1945.
She lived in Durban since then and was in charge of the kitchens as a dietitian at King George V Hospital for many years and then gave it up to take care of her two children, Anne and Robert. Her husband, George, died in March 1979, leaving Pamela a widow for many years.
Pamela lived in Westville and was active in the community. She planned the Westville Girls’ High School garden and was one of the founding members of the Westville Country Club. She worked hard at various fêtes and running the plant stall at Westville Boys’ High School. She was also on the Westville Horticultural Society committee and was always happy to help wherever she could.
Pamela’s daughter, Anne Briscoe, said her mother was a strong person who played tennis from age eight to her mid-80s. She gave up bowls before she gave up tennis, only because a friend told her she might fall and injure herself badly. She led a healthy lifestyle and believed in a balanced diet.
“She was the most wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We were all her children and we will miss her dearly,” said Anne.
Pamela lived in the family home in Westville for many years, and then moved to Kew Gardens 16 years ago. She died at a home for the elderly in Pietermaritzburg.
She is survived by her daughter, Anne, son-in-law, Tim, son, Robert, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
