Two Kennersley Park roommates tucked into a huge pink cake yesterday to celebrate their combined lifetime of 209 years.
Muriel Lack turned 105 yesterday, while her roomie Corrie Gwilt will be commemorating her 104th birthday on May 19.
The beaming centenarians were treated to a special morning tea party at the retirement complex yesterday with family, friends and staff, who enjoyed platters of cake and sandwiches with the two golden girls.
Lack, who was walking unaided and doing her own housework until two weeks ago when she fell and hurt her left leg, said spinach was the secret of her longevity.
“I love any dish as long as it has spinach,” she chuckled.
Lack, who was born in Kimberley, said she smoked when she was younger, but still enjoyed a glass of wine and was looking forward to some champagne with her family later in the day.
Although she moved from a flatlet at her son’s Beacon Bay home just two weeks ago, Lack said she felt fortunate to be sharing a room with someone her age.
“We get along so well,” said Lack, who has two children.
Her son Brian, 70, said his mother had been a “rollerskating model” in her youth and was a competitive golfer until her 60s.
“She was playing bridge until the age of 102 and won quite a few gardening competitions.
“She also used to keep active with crosswords and word games and avoided fatty foods. We are very blessed to still have her.”
Lack’s husband Cecil, who she married in January 1935, died just months before his 100th birthday. “She misses my dad, who used to inspire her a lot,” said her son.
But yesterday, Lack was all smiles as she was showered with hugs and kisses from her family and former bridge buddies. “I’ve received flowers and cards and soap in a lovely container and this cake is very good,” she said.
Her roommate Corrie Gwilt, who turns 104 soon, also sliced into the cake for the cameras.
“I have a sweet tooth,” whispered the former bookkeeper, who grew up in Butterworth.
According to her son Michael Cowley, she never smoked and credited vitamins for her health.
“My father Jack Cowley, who served in World War II, died when he was 54 and my mom later married Toy Gwilt, whom she met at bowls. She was a very good bowler at the Bonza Bay club, and won quite a few trophies. I’m so happy she has reached this age.”
Neither social development nor home affairs could provide details of South Africa’s oldest living person, but Wikipedia lists Johanna Booyson, who was 114 when she died in 1968, as the South African with the longest life. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Golden girls mark 209 years
Muriel Lack turned 105 yesterday, while her roomie Corrie Gwilt will be commemorating her 104th birthday on May 19.
The beaming centenarians were treated to a special morning tea party at the retirement complex yesterday with family, friends and staff, who enjoyed platters of cake and sandwiches with the two golden girls.
Lack, who was walking unaided and doing her own housework until two weeks ago when she fell and hurt her left leg, said spinach was the secret of her longevity.
“I love any dish as long as it has spinach,” she chuckled.
Lack, who was born in Kimberley, said she smoked when she was younger, but still enjoyed a glass of wine and was looking forward to some champagne with her family later in the day.
Although she moved from a flatlet at her son’s Beacon Bay home just two weeks ago, Lack said she felt fortunate to be sharing a room with someone her age.
“We get along so well,” said Lack, who has two children.
Her son Brian, 70, said his mother had been a “rollerskating model” in her youth and was a competitive golfer until her 60s.
“She was playing bridge until the age of 102 and won quite a few gardening competitions.
“She also used to keep active with crosswords and word games and avoided fatty foods. We are very blessed to still have her.”
Lack’s husband Cecil, who she married in January 1935, died just months before his 100th birthday. “She misses my dad, who used to inspire her a lot,” said her son.
But yesterday, Lack was all smiles as she was showered with hugs and kisses from her family and former bridge buddies. “I’ve received flowers and cards and soap in a lovely container and this cake is very good,” she said.
Her roommate Corrie Gwilt, who turns 104 soon, also sliced into the cake for the cameras.
“I have a sweet tooth,” whispered the former bookkeeper, who grew up in Butterworth.
According to her son Michael Cowley, she never smoked and credited vitamins for her health.
“My father Jack Cowley, who served in World War II, died when he was 54 and my mom later married Toy Gwilt, whom she met at bowls. She was a very good bowler at the Bonza Bay club, and won quite a few trophies. I’m so happy she has reached this age.”
Neither social development nor home affairs could provide details of South Africa’s oldest living person, but Wikipedia lists Johanna Booyson, who was 114 when she died in 1968, as the South African with the longest life. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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