Granny Jessie celebrates a century of life
She has touched the lives of many and continues to shine during her centenary years.
Jessie Margareth Appelblom (née Swanepoel) reached a remarkable milestone of 100 years of life on October 24.
Surrounded by her loving family at the Black Eagle Hotel and Spa for a celebration on Saturday, October 26, Jessie, affectionately known as “Granny Jessie,” exemplifies the beauty of a life well-lived.
Born in Maraisburg in 1924, Jessie is the seventh of 10 children. She grew up in Steelpoort, and her childhood was filled with the joy and the chaos of a big family. As the only one left of her eight sisters and two brothers, Jessie carries the legacy of the Swanepoel family in her heart, keeping the stories of her siblings alive.
After moving to Krugersdorp as a young woman, Jessie completed her studies at a technical college and started working at the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court, where history and fate intertwined. Little did she know, she would cross paths with great South African leaders like Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela during her time there.
“Jessie started writing to her future husband, Oskar Appelblom, at the insistence of her best friend and future sister-in-law while he was stationed in northern Africa during WWII. They became engaged by proxy and were married in 1945. Jessie and Oskar went on to have two children, a son and a daughter. She was known around Krugersdorp as Mrs Appels but after her grandson was born she became Granny Jessie to all,” says Philipa Aylward, who is Jessie’s niece.
According to Philipa, Granny Jessie worked for Nestlé in later years which made her a very popular family member. She then retired in 1996 at the age of 72 and was still driving herself around until well into her 80s.
“Granny Jessie enjoyed a little flutter on the ponies and was an avid follower of horse racing, she also enjoyed a little bit of gambling, but only on the one-armed bandits, and she and her younger sisters would make a day of it going to Sun City or the Carousel before there were more local places available,” Philipa adds.
Jessie’s secret to a long and happy life is simple, ‘Eat well, drink very little, exercise daily and live with a generous heart’. These habits kept her active and spry well into her 90s, and her family lovingly credits them for her reaching 100.
As she celebrated her centenary, Granny Jessie was surrounded by the family she had poured so much love into over the years – nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends all gathered to honour her. It was a day filled with love, stories, laughter and toasts of her incredible life.
