Pam, 79 and going strong!

MOST people look forward to a peaceful retirement, away from the hustle-and-bustle, stress and deadlines of the working world. This, however, is not the case for Redhill resident, Pam Ronaldson, who is set to celebrate her 80th birthday on 12 December.

The independent woman has shown no desire to slow down, despite being forced into retirement twice.

The mother and widow is employed as a deceased estates paralegal and said she plans to work until she is no longer able to do a good job. Ronaldson started her working career when she was only 16 years old, first as a shorthand typiste and by the time she was 19, she was promoted to private secretary to the sales promotions manager.

Later she became an executive secretary until she retired the first time.

“Working has been a big part of my life. It is what keeps me positive and alive. I have never really been unemployed. Even after I was retired at the age of 60, I managed to secure a position with an accounting firm that waited for me to complete my remaining five months’ notice,” she said.

She moved onto two other companies before she was once again forced to retire in 2014. “I was at home for little more than a year when I put my story on Facebook, saying that I didn’t like being retired. A director of my present firm saw my story and contacted me,” she said.

When Ronaldson is not hard at work in the corporate world she keeps her hands and mind busy with cooking, sewing, knitting and assisting with the administration of the Mvoti Neighbourhood Watch’s Facebook page.

Not scared of keeping with the times or technology, Ronaldson learned how to use the computer, and with her good health, the elderly resident continues to drive to work every morning.

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