It’s in the genes, says Queensburgh centenarian
Phyllis Ambrose recently turned a 100 years old but but she can still be seen cruising around on her mobility scooter. The Flame Lily Retirement Village resident has lived a life full of love, laughter, and adventure. From homeschooling to secretarial work, and meeting her hubby at Caltex.
AT first glance, one would never guess that Phyllis Ambrose is 100 years old.
Looking healthy and sharp-minded, Ambrose is a beautiful, independent woman who is still seen riding her mobility scooter around Flame Lily Retirement Village to fetch meals from the kitchen.
Sitting comfortably in her chair on the veranda, she welcomed Queensburgh News with a warm smile.
Born on March 20, 1926, in Pietermaritzburg, Ambrose is one of three sisters.
She shared that her mother homeschooled her before she went to boarding school at the age of 10 at Girls’ Collegiate.
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“I moved to Durban around the age of 19, where I studied bookkeeping, shorthand, and typing at Durban Business College. I got my first job working as a secretary.
“My second job was at Caltex, where I also did administrative work.”
Speaking about that job brought a big smile to Ambrose’s face as she leaned back, smitten.
“I was very happy at that job,” she said, adding that it is where she met her husband.
Tied the knot
The couple tied the knot in October 1955 and raised two sons, Gary and Andrew, in their home in Glenwood, one of the first houses in the area, where their eldest son still resides.
“I can say I have had a beautiful life, a successful marriage and children who care for me,” she said.
Her husband passed away in 1986. She moved to Flame Lily Retirement Village in 1997 and describes her stay there as exciting and warm. “I have been very happy here. I don’t think I would have had so many wonderful friends elsewhere.”
Her hobbies included gardening, and her sons describe her as a talented artist, like her two sisters. “I enjoyed gardening; even here at the home, I worked on the gardens a lot,” she said.
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She believes her longevity is due to good genes.
“My mother also lived to celebrate her 100th birthday,” she added.
Her other secret is a glass of wine a day.
“At first it was a glass of beer, then two glasses of wine and now, it is just one glass of wine,” said her eldest son.
She continued driving until the age of 93.
“It was devastating when I lost my car. I felt like I was losing my independence.”
Her younger son, Gary, applauded his older brother for taking such good care of their mother.
“I live in the UK and came to celebrate this milestone, but my brother takes really good care of our mother. He visits her regularly and takes her out from time to time. I can never thank him enough for what he does. I don’t think my mother would be looking like this if it were not for him.”
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