A DURBAN North gran who recently turned 100 has offered her advice to those looking for a long, happy life: a glass of whiskey in the evening. Thirlwall Burmester celebrated a century of life with her family last week. She also has the distinction of being a great-great-grandmother; she has three children, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
“I don’t feel 100 years old, I can say that. I’m not sure what’s kept me young,” she laughed. “I guess I’ve always been active and family-orientated. I live for my family, they keep me going. It is just about getting on with it really and I have been quite healthy and looked after myself.
“I used to ride horses and play golf and I was a crossword queen. I was still involved in aqua aerobics and gardening up until the age of 90. I love gardening and that’s been a passion that has passed on to my daughter, Denzil, and other family members. My dream was to own a florist. I remember growing up in Wynberg in the Western Cape and using my pocket money to buy plants and flowers,” she said.
Thirlwall said she enjoyed the family get-together birthday party with 45 people from her family on her special day.
“One hundred wasn’t as memorable as my 90th birthday, when I fell backwards into the pool while checking on the table settings. There was a beautiful cake though,” she said.
