Joanne Claessens (101) attributes her longevity to hard work, patience and love.
She currently resides at the frail-care section of the Springs Retirement Village (SRV) where she receives 24-hour care.
Born in Belgium on April 4, 1915, she and her husband Achilles Claessens, moved to the Congo after World War II, where they stayed until they immigrated to South Africa in 1964.
They lived in Pretoria, in Phalaborwa in Limpopo and Leslie in Mpumalanga.
Her husband died in 1980, but Joanne continued her job in managing their own transport business until she finally retired at the age of 80.
She still lived on her own until her daughter Nickey Cowley (68) decided to fetch her mother to come live with her in Eastvale eight years ago.
“My mother couldn’t look after herself any more and at the age of 93 years she moved in with us,” she says.
Nickey’s mother has always been a hardworking, dedicated businesswoman, a dear friend and mother.
“Not a lazy bone in her body,” she says.
When Nickey talks about her mother, you can hear the respect and affection in her voice.”My mother has always been a very professional woman who had no enemies,” she says.
She sings her mother’s praises by adding Joanne was also a motivated, organised and disciplined businesswoman.
According to Nickey her mother loved the outdoors until she fell two years ago and broke three ribs and her collarbone.
Since then Joanne’s health has deteriorated and she’s needed care 24/7.
When Nickey and her husband Johnny Cowley (58) decided to take her mother to SRV, they prepared her mentally.
She says it wasn’t an easy decision to make, but her mother is very frail, especially after a recent stroke.
Joanne cannot swallow any liquid or food, therefore she is being fed through a tube in her stomach.
“It is very sad for but we had to do what is best for my mother,” she says.
Although Joanne cannot speak properly, she still managed to smile and say thank you after the photograph was taken.
Joanne has five grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
