The management and staff of Trudy’s Nest as well as the Randfontein Local Municipality are shocked by the passing of the organisation’s spokesperson.
Colin Dickens who was a member of Trudy’s Nest for seven years was laid to rest in late December.
He wasn’t sick and definitely not elderly. We were so shocked when he passed away,” Trudy Haywood, founder of Trudy’s Nest said.
Trudy explained that on 16 December she sat with Colin during a party for Trudy’s Nest staff. Colin came to her house the next day. However, the day after that Trudy got a call from Colin saying he was unable to walk.
She said he later went to hospital and appeared to be recovering. “He even walked some of his family to the hospital gate,” she said.
The next morning around 2am he passed away, Trudy said.
His funeral proved what a difference he had made in the community and how well he was known. Randfontein Executive Mayor, Mzi Khumalo spoke at his funeral, which various officials from the municipality attended, including Patricia Matuwane who took Trudy’s Nest under her wing.
Before Colin’s passing Trudy said he wrote three letters, of which two were to the Department of Social Development that had been assisting them. One was for Trudy.
Thinking back on that letter, it’s like he was saying goodbye. It was almost as though he knew. He still joked and said that he’s done for December. He’s going to take a long holiday because he’s tired,” she said.
Colin died at 62 and will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
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