BEST friends for the past 83 years, Olive Von Der Decken and Shirley Baxter, have never lived more than 10 minutes away from each other since meeting for the first time in 1937.
The duo say the key to their successful friendship has been a sister-like bond based on trust and love. Their friendship has also rubbed off onto their children with the families of Von Der Decken and Baxter also sharing a close bond.
Speaking to Northglen News, Baxter explained how both of them, now aged 90, started at St Agnes Primary School at the age of six.
“I can’t remember our first day meeting but I do know we’ve been friends since the age of six. We were inseparable and were friends all through our schooling. Even after we were married, I lived in Glenashley and Olive lived in Virginia, we still maintained contact and remained close friends. We both have shared interests and we are also part of a book club, the 1030 Book Club for the last 30 years,” Baxter explained.
For those who frequent La Lucia Mall, Baxter’s face will be familiar as she worked at The Biltong Shop for 19 years.
“My brother-in-law first owned the shop and I went in to help. Since the shop was opened, the shop has seen four owners and each have asked me to stay on. I worked there for 19 years and incredibly my granddaughter now works there. There has been a Baxter working at the shop since 1996,” she enthused.
Baxter has five grandchildren and four great grandchildren while Von Der Decken has three grandchildren.
Another part of their successful friendship is laughter and sharing interests.
“I’ve been called the Durban North Chronicle, because I always give the good news,” said a jovial Von Der Decken. “What has been wonderful to see is how our families have connected through our friendship and how it’s helped bond us even closer. I’ve even smocked a dress for Shirley’s granddaughter for her christening which travelled all the way to England. I feel best friends make the good times better and hard times easier and that’s what Shirley has done for me and I for her.”
The best friends recently celebrated their 90th birthdays, just two days apart and Von Der Decken spent hers by taking a flight from Virginia Airport around Durban.
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