Celebrating 97 years of life

Mrs Christina Coetzer celebrates her 97th birthday today! She has had many calls and lots of flowers to celebrate her big day.
She was born in Johannesburg and moved to Ladysmith in 1958 when her husband starting working as a teacher at Keate Street Primary School. She worked beside him at the school, teaching Cookery. She would teach the children how to measure, cook and bake.
Christina is especially well-known for her famous brandy snaps. She was also a fond gardener and used to walk along the mountains gathering aloe plants. She smiles when she recalls the deep-red and bright-yellow aloes she once had on her farm in Winterton. She also had a farm near Harrismith.
She was a great embroiderer and would spend her days making all sorts of beautiful craft work. Her days are quieter now, spent reading and chatting to friends. She says it is sad to see your friends pass on. “They are here and then they are gone the next minute.” One of her close friends (and the biggest fan of her brandy snaps), Issie Myburgh, sadly passed away last night. “I am happy to have my memories though.” Christina says she is very lucky she can still see and hear and walk; something not many others her age can say. She has three sons, one daughter and two grandchildren, all of whom she speaks of proudly and fondly. When asked what she will be doing to celebrate her birthday, she humbly replied that, “It’s just another day really. I couldn’t ask for more.”