Family matriarch turns 95
95 years old and she is still ruling with an iron fist
She may be celebrating her 95th birthday, but, according to her daughter she still rules the household with an iron fist.
Margaret Waterson, or Meg as she is known, was born in Scotland in 1921 and came to South Africa when she was only eight years old. Her father was an engineer at Anglo Vaal and Meg grew up in Florida where they lived at Rand Leases Gold Mine.
She married Eric Waterson in 1946 when he returned from the war. They lived in Discovery and then moved to Florida Park. Meg played tennis at the Rand Leases Tennis Club until she was 75 years old. The Rand Leases Tennis Club awarded Meg a life membership to honour her service to the club. She was the secretary and treasurer of the club. She also loved playing golf at the CMR Golf Club in Roodepoort. Meg is also still a member of St Barnabas Church in Florida which she joined in 1935.
Meg and Eric had two children, Peter and Joan, who still live in the area. Her sister, Jean Haworth (80) also lives nearby, and visits Meg regularly. Both of her children excelled on the sport field, with Peter playing provincial rugby and hockey. Joan played provincial tennis and international hockey. She is also blessed with six grandchildren. “I am very proud of them. They all excel at school and they are very good at sport,” said Meg. She is also the proud great-grandma of four great-grandchildren – and cannot wait to welcome the newest addition later this year.
Her daughter, Joan Martin, says her mom is the matriarch of the family with a very good memory. “She still has her hair done once a week and loves to read the newspaper daily. She is also very spoiled by the family. They send her Fry’s chocolates and biscuits on a regular basis,” Joan said.
Although Meg is wheelchair-bound she helps Joan with some office work and filing. She also loves to read.
Her secret to a long life? “Faith, keeping active, and having friends and family who love you. And of course, the most important is, having at least one glass of wine every night!” Meg said laughingly.
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