Paying tribute to a beloved friend

Yakima Waner writes by email:

Illona Hillhouse by many was known as the cat lady of Brakpan. To me, she was one of those merciful souls who made up for all the cruelty we face as animal rescuers.

Illona’s compassion for the suffering was like a mirror reflection for myself and it was the foundation of the sacred friendship I had with her.

On July 29, Illona used those beautiful wings of hers for a different journey. On the day of her memorial, I learned such different and amazing things about Illona and her youth.

Things that moulded her into an extraordinary person, which I was blessed to know.

Illona did so much for the voiceless and didn’t need one bit of praise. For most of her life, she fed multiple colonies of street cats, a ritual which she carried forward from her mother.

Illona was brave, she didn’t only beat cancer but she would sacrifice her own well-being for another.

I always related to that and could understand how her loved ones like her beloved and supportive husband would worry as my family do.

Every evening she would go to multiple spots, not the safest, and feed hungry strays.

They would wait for her and show so much gratitude for her presence. Nothing would stop Illona.

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I did many rescues with Illona, moments I will never forget. I always admired her gentle and kind manner even towards people who showed us nothing but hostility.

She was my black eye repellent on many occasions where fight or flight kicks in. Illona had many soft spots, not for just cats.

She wanted to help many who were in distress in the Brakpan CBD, it didn’t matter how shady the character seemed, Illona looked deeper within people.

She was interested in the good in a person and that is what fed Illona’s soul. She will be missed by many, humans and animals.

I hope through The Harvest Animal Rescue we can keep her wishes alive and continue to help those she was so worried about leaving one day.

A nectarine tree was planted in the loving memory of Illona by her loving husband, family, friends and the harvest children at The Harvest Centre, a place she always showed immense love and respect for.