East resident Ouma Eve turns 100
“Her physical fitness, being involved with people and spending a lot of time with children are, if you ask her, among the things that have kept her healthy and on the go,” says her granddaughter, Gail.
One of Garsfontein’s oldest residents, Eve Reynolds turned 100 years old on Tuesday, April 18.
More than 60 family and friends joined Ouma Eve on Saturday to celebrate her milestone with love and showered her with gifts.
Eve was born in Johannesburg, in 1923, April 18 and spent most of her early years there – apart from a short time when her family moved to Cape Town.
Ouma Eve was the youngest of five children – two elder brothers and sisters.
She completed her schooling in Johannesburg, and went on to work in, among other, a sweets factory.
Gail Reynolds, Ouma Eve’s grandchild, said she is a sports fanatic of note.
“She enjoys sports and participated competitively in acrobatics and dance.
“She used to play tennis and was involved in tennis competitions.
“At this ripe age she still loves watching sports on TV and remains an avid knitter.
Ouma Eve and her late husband Mickey were married shortly after the end of World War II, and the couple has two sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mickey and Eve were among the early residents of Alberton and built their two homes on the edge of town. They would live in the second more than 50 years.
In fact, at some point Eve kept the register a local police constable had to sign to prove he had fulfilled his responsibility to patrol to the end of the street.
Gail said Alberton’s loss is Pretoria’s gain.
“Early in the 2000s, Mickey and Eve moved to Pretoria to be closer to their younger son as Mick’s health declined.
“Mick passed away in 2008, two months before their 60th wedding anniversary,” Gail said.
“Mick and Eve, as they were affectionately known, were very involved in community work.
“They were lending a hand to establish a care home for boys and also in the running of the local boy’s brigade, helping young boys to develop the abilities to enter into communities that they may not have been able to otherwise.”
Eve, having never been allowed to learn to drive a car, used to walk to the shops or sports complex where she enjoyed tennis.
People describe Eve as “quite a character”.
“She loved cooking, baking and cake decorating, as well as sewing, knitting and crocheting, but she is complaining now that her hands don’t let her do the things she wants to,” Gail said.
“Her birthday has been celebrated by many, a fitting acknowledgement of how much she has meant to so many people in the community. Celebrating her birthday annually has become a tradition now.
Gail said Ouma Eve continues to enjoy good health.
“Her physical fitness, being involved with people and spending a lot of time with children are, if you ask her, among the things that have kept her healthy and on the go.
“She walks by herself sometimes with a walking stick and if we are walking far we hire a wheelchair for her.
“Eve’s memory is fine for most things. If she forgets someone’s name, she calls them Love.”
Gail said Ouma Eve is a vivacious, fun-loving, kind person who is considerate of others.
“It is a privilege to enjoy her company.”
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