St Michael’s Village resident turns 100
"I remember when my mother was ill, Aunty Gus looked after us and she was always our favourite aunty; we were like her children.”
Family and friends gathered at the St Michael’s Village Retirement Centre to celebrate Augusta-Marth Hall’s 100th birthday, which was also her 25th Leap Year birthday.
Food and lovely treats were enjoyed by all present at the venue while they celebrated and shared memories of their beloved Augusta.
Aunty Gus, as the birthday girl is known to her family and friends, was married to the late Timothy Hall. They never had any children of their own, but spread their love for children to all the nieces and nephews in the family.
“She is very loving; she had no problem looking after all of us. We loved to visit her for holidays.
“I remember when my mother was ill, Aunty Gus looked after us and she was always our favourite aunty; we were like her children,” said Carol Bosch who is one of Aunty Gus’ nieces.
According to all who know Aunty Gus, she was an outgoing person in her younger days and she managed a shop called Butterfly House in Durban were her nieces came to help during school holidays.
Family friend, Ingrid Nattrass said, “She is a very religious person and even at 100 years she can easily say the Lord’s Prayer. Although she never had children she took care of everybody and was the anchor of the family.”
Aunty Gus played the organ at her church for a very long time. She has also been a member of the Anglican Synod and is said to have had a fantastic memory as she could remember everybody’s birthday.
Colleen Gowar said, “I am Aunty Gus’ niece and her husband was my uncle. She is a devoted Anglican. After my mother died – I was 12 years old – my father used to take us to Durban to visit our favourite aunty. We have a lot of good memories with her.”
