A PILLAR of hope and dedication to the Amanzimtoti community, Dorothy Craven, has sadly passed due to natural causes at the age of 98, on January 18.

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She was a past president of the Rotary Anns, while her husband, Stanley Craven, was a past president of the Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti. As she was an avid supporter of Amanzimtoti SPCA, volunteer for the non-profit organisation, Stacey Wall, paid tribute to her in a Facebook post:

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our beloved supporter, Dorothy Craven. She left an unforgettable mark on our organisation and the lives of countless animals. During our darkest financial times, she would selflessly step in with substantial donations, saving the day time and again. Her extensive knowledge of flora and fauna, as well as her involvement with the Botanical Society and Wildlife Society, made her a true champion for the natural world. We’re heartbroken by her loss, but we take comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched – both human and animal. Rest in peace, dear Mrs Craven, Your impact will never be forgotten.”

Aneska Dupont, president of the Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti, explained that Dorothy unfortunately had no family left. For her contributions to the Rotary Club, and by extension, her community, Dorothy received the Paul Harris award – the highest award to recognise service above self.

Dorothy’s grandfather was a homeopath and according to her caregiver, Dr Deirdre Small, a retired homeopath, she preferred to use the medical system as a complement to allopathic medicine, and lived to almost 99 in good health, save for the last few years where her body began to let her down while her mind remained sharp.

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“Dorothy Craven and her husband Stanley were patients of mine from 2008. At the time, Stanley had suffered a debilitating stroke which had left a brilliant man semi-paralysed with no speech. Dorothy, a tiny but strong woman, insisted on caring for him herself. This was a testament to the type of determined woman she was. Nothing would deter her from caring for him while continuing with her various projects at home. Dorothy was very active in Rotary and although retired from leadership, she continued to contribute to charities in many ways. I got to know the pair of them as house visits became tea time invites, with lots of stories shared. Stanley passed away and Dorothy was determined to continue in the house she grew up in. The house that had been her home for 70 years,” said Small.

Dorothy loved her garden and spent many hours outdoors tending to her plants. Small explained that nothing went to waste, as the vegetables from her productive patch were part of her daily diet.

Small continued, “She continued to run her home with military precision, making sure there was a job for four generations of the Gaza family that had been in her employ for decades. But sadly she had a fall and the reality was she could not remain in the large Georgian home that stands atop of a hill overlooking Amanzimtoti. Dorothy had witnessed the changes of Amanzimtoti. She showed me the original course of the river. She remembered when there were no high rises and the post delivered by donkey cart.”

Small, along with Jane Smith, became her guardians as Dorothy and Stanley had no children. Dorothy was an only child and Stanley’s family were in England. After some deliberation and another fall, Dorothy announced that she was ready to be moved.

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“While she enjoyed a few more years of reading her daily paper and knitting jerseys for charity, the truth was that her heart was broken at having to face her mortality. Dorothy did not give up on her strong determination to have things done her way and decided that it was a good time to implement her wish list and she dictated who would be the recipients of her treasured household wares. Many charities benefited,” said Small.

Once Smith and Small moved to Scottburgh, Dorothy was moved to Summerhill Lodge Retirement Village. Covid-19 ran rampant, coinciding with the move, though her guardians were still able to visit her.

“Dorothy had made peace with her life. She was still happy to help where she could and any time the SPCA was in need, she was happy to contribute. She also made a substantial contribution to Elders Voice. A few months ago we noticed that Dorothy was going through the motions of living. Her decline began. Her wish was that she meet Stanley once more. Dorothy had everything documented in some form. Her one wish that she be cremated, there was to be no memorial as she said she wanted no fuss. She leaves a huge hole in Jane and my lives and we know the Craven Trust will continue to make a difference in many lives,” concluded Small.

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