Many have prayed for the fountain of youth or the chance to make it to the age of 100, but for the San Sereno Retirement Home Village resident Doreen Read her heart managed to reach 108 years and continues to beat stronger as she approaches 109.
Born in 1914, Doreen was raised by Scottish parents in Cape Town and spent most of her time playing and swimming with her peers and studying. One thing that stood out the most from her time in Cape Town was finding her love and life partner which nearly did not progress at the time.
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“When I was a teenager, I met this guy called Basil Read and I would often tease him because he was a year younger than me. My mother used to say to me, why are you always bullying Basil’, and I told her that I am not marrying him. The exact time when his results came out war intensified and he went overseas to help,” said Doreen.
Years after his departure, Basil was forced to return back home due to a sickness which he had contracted.
“Once he served his time abroad, his job was to make landing strips in South Africa to help bringing people back home. In those days people couldn’t travel that far.
Immediately when he returned to Cape Town he (Basil) asked Doreen to marry him which she accepted. As described by Doreen, their time together had brought them happiness and a few setbacks as Basil was offered a job in Johannesburg.
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“After working five years for the government, Basil started his own company in July of 1952 and he worked like a Trojan. Most of his time in construction, Basil worked on a lot of projects involving the development of airports, buildings and roads. We raised two sons and one daughter, but due to his work I spent most of my time with the children. We both loved them.”
Sadly, at the age of 52, Basil passed from an oesophageal cancer, leaving behind his business legacy and his family.
“Things are so different now; seeing open land change to buildings has been my everyday living. I love San Sereno and the people are absolutely terrific. My life has had its ups and downs, but I am glad to have spent it with the people that I love.”
According to Doreen, the ultimate best advice for living a good life is to enjoy all the small things and to live your truth.
Doreen will be turning 109 on February 16 and she plans to continue living her truth.
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