Celebrating life at 103
The Old People's Home resident Minnie Burfitt has accomplishment what most people can only dream of.
On August 7, she turned 103 years old.
“I am overwhelmed, today is a great day,” said the smiling Burfitt.
She celebrated her birthday with her family and friends at The Old People’s Home, in Woburn Avenue, Western Extension.
Burfitt was born on August 7, 1912, at Barrown Furness in England.
She was one of two siblings.
When she was 21, her family moved to South Africa, where they stayed in Malvern, Johannesburg.
She later got a job at a bakery, were she worked until she was married.
In 1939, when World War Two began, she married her now late husband, Harry Burfitt.
They were married on December 26, at St Patrick’s Church, in Malvern, and spent their honeymoon in Durban.
After they were married they first stayed in Malvern, then later moved to Wychwood, in Germiston.
“I was blessed with 69 years of marriage; I loved that man, because of his love and kindness,” Burfitt said.
They were blessed with two daughters, Dorothy Lotter and Shirley Short.
One of Butfitt’s favourite things to do was to play bowls with her husband at the Geldenhuys Deep Bowling Club, in Malvern East.
“She played bowls until her 80s, she was also president of the club,” said Lotter.
“She also loved singing and was in a choir back in England,” added Lotter, who was at her mother’s birthday celebration.
When her husband passed away in 2009, she moved to The Old People’s Home.
“I love staying here, the staff is very nice and everybody has been really amazing,” she said.
Her secret to living a healthy long life is keeping busy and leading an active lifestyle.
Short, Burfitt’s second daughter, said it amazing to see her mother so fully comprehensive, even though she can’t see and hear properly.
“She used to love reading, but now that she’s partially blind she can’t do that anymore,” added Short.
“She manages to walk around without even a walking stick.”
Burfitt said she is very happy that she has lived to 103.
“I appreciate everything my daughters have done for me, I’ve been well looked after,” she added.
“I hope that I can continue to be independent, I want to be able to to things for myself, like being able to get myself into a bath.”
Burfitt has four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
