15/11/1930-21/06/2018
Sadie Maud Van Dyk (nee Reiners) was first-born to Elizabeth and Herman Reiners in the shadow of Table Mountain in Cape Town in 1930. At four years old, her parents moved to Johannesburg where she lived until she married in 1954. She was the eldest of seven children and is survived by brother, Herman and three sisters, Helen Winter, Pauline Nel and Estelle Findlay.
She moved to Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia with her husband, Corrie van Dyk, until 1964 when they returned to South Africa with their young family. They stayed in Durban until settling in Westville in 1967. During this time, they witnessed the evolution of the Westville village into what it is today. Corrie passed away in 2013 and it was in 2017, after 50 years in the same house, that Sadie moved to a retirement village in Botha’s Hill. She missed the familiarity and security of Westville and her home.
Sadie played hockey and softball in her younger days, representing the Northern Rhodesia National and then Natal Provincial softball teams as a pitcher.
Sadie’s introduction to road-running occurred in her early 50s. She joined the Westville Athletic Club in 1983, running marathons within a few years. Sadie spent many hours on the road either training, racing or marshalling at one of the many events around the province.
As she progressed through the respective age categories, masters to grandmasters at 60 years old, she continued to compete in various time trial leagues and races.
Affiliated to the KZN Masters Athletic Association, she competed in her age group at various track meetings held around the country. One of her highlights was to compete at the 1997 World Veterans Championships in Durban. She has earned the respect from the running fraternity for her age group performances and her perseverance, when so many younger athletes had given up. Her running career ended with a degenerative injury to her knee cartilage at the age of 82. A fine example to all aspiring runners.
Within the WAC structures, Sadie could always be relied on to get involved with the organisation of races, in particular the Illovo Challenge, sometimes working two different portfolios on the morning of the event. She played so many roles within the club structure, filling administrative roles on the committee several times, holding the membership portfolio for a few years in succession. She received various awards in recognition of her contributions to the club including Honorary Life Membership and is remembered as a kind and supportive club member.
Sadie is well remembered by many Comrades Marathon runners as a familiar and friendly face at registration where she worked as a volunteer for 23 years. She keenly looked forward to this event every year and enjoyed the camaraderie of the helpers ‘family’ and making sure that each runner had a stress-free registration. Sadie was awarded her Double Green for her dedicated service.
Sadie valued loyalty, honesty and integrity highly, and she upheld these traits in every facet of her life. As a friend, Sadie was a patient and good listener who was always willing to help anyone in need. Sadie will be remembered as a kind, gentle and helpful person who will be greatly missed, especially by her daughter, Debbie, to whom she was a constant source of inspiration and unconditional love.
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