THE Westville community is mourning the passing of Priscilla Estelle Tostée (85), fondly known to generations as “Mrs T” or, to her grandchildren as “Gran Toast”.

A woman of deep faith, unwavering loyalty and a famously big heart, Mrs T died on January 7, leaving behind a legacy that touched countless lives.

Born on August 23, 1940 in Umtata to Transkei traders with Irish and Scottish heritage, Estelle matriculated from Umtata High School.

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In the early ’60s, while visiting the village of Mt Frere in the Eastern Cape, she met her future husband, Jose Tostée, a young Mauritian mechanic who had sailed to South Africa in search of better opportunities.

They married soon after and settled in Durban, initially on the Berea, before moving to Berea West in 1966. That home in Mersey Road remained Estelle’s anchor for 60 years. The couple were married for 58 years.

Mrs T was a devoted mother to her three sons, Jean-Marc, Pierre and Charl, and a proud grandmother to five grandchildren.

Her sons remember her as the heart of the family, a woman whose strong values carried seamlessly from home into her professional life.

Neighbour and close friend Ashna Singh, who knew Estelle for 31 years, recalled how Mrs T welcomed her to Mersey Road with tea and cookies when she first moved there in 1996, instantly turning neighbours into family. Singh said Estelle’s generosity, from planting her garden by hand to celebrating family milestones, left a lasting legacy.

“She was a legend in this area,” Singh said. “Anything we needed, she would make it happen. Our family will miss her deeply.”

Estelle worked for close on four decades at Natal Sales, later known as Outdoor Network, where she built an extraordinary network with small businesses across suburbs and the city.

Estelle’s colleague and close friend of 37 years, Anita Manning, described her as the heart of the workplace, a woman who never forgot a name or a story, and who had a rare ability to make everyone feel seen and valued.

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Manning said Mrs T was deeply loyal, generous and respectful to everyone she encountered, from colleagues to security staff. Firm in her ways yet endlessly kind, she shared her strong Christian faith with warmth and grace, and was a constant source of guidance and care throughout Manning’s life journey.

“She was a remarkable woman,” Manning said, “and we were truly blessed to have her in our lives.”

Mrs T’s faith was central to her life. A familiar and comforting presence at 3C Church in Westville, she was known for always sitting in the same seat.

Pastor Peter Watt paid tribute to her steadfast belief and prayerful nature: “Estelle lived her faith out loud and quietly at the same time. She prayed about everything, trusted God completely, and loved people patiently, kindly and without condition.”

A much-loved and loyal customer at Westville SuperSpar, Mrs T was known by everyone in-store, from the packers to management and even most of the customers.

Owner Rael Lurie said, “Mrs T was part of our SuperSpar family. A proud mother and a proud member of our Westville community. She greeted everyone by name, always had a smile, and brought warmth wherever she went. She will be deeply missed.”

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