A Grassy Park ouma, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Heritage Day has passed away.
Katrina Mentoor sadly passed away on Saturday after suffering a mild stroke.
Her grandchild confirmed the ouma was admitted to hospital last Wednesday after she was unresponsive and her blood pressure levels shot up.
René Summers tells the Daily Voice: “My uncle called us and said she was unresponsive when he tried to wake her up.”
“She was then admitted to the hospital and we were told she suffered a mild stroke and her blood levels were up.”
René was hopeful that Mamma Truitjie, as she was affectionately known in Grassy Park, would recover and be discharged, but her condition deteriorated.
“Everything went from bad to worse, according to the doctors.”
She says they are sad that they could not be with her ouma during her last moments, but are consoled by the fact that she lived until she reached the age of 100.
“We would have loved to be with her and surround her as a family, but due to Covid-19 regulations, we could not be there,” says René.
Mamma Truitjie was believed to be the oldest resident in Grassy Park.
She was born at Baarhuis farm in Darling a century ago.
She was in high spirits during her centenary birthday two weeks ago when her family took part in the Jerusalema challenge on her behalf.
The granny was the eldest of seven siblings, of whom two are still alive.
She herself had been blessed with seven children, 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Mamma Truitjie worked as a dressmaker.
René says her ouma lived to see all her children’s achievements: “We have many memories with her, but what is special is that she lived to see all her children’s milestones and raised her grandchildren.”
She says her grandmother will be laid to rest on Saturday.
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za