A sad farewell moment
The Springs Retirement Village bid a sad farewell to two staff members on Wednesday.
Jeanette Ackerman (66) and Edna van der Hooven (68) have both retired after serving the village residents for many years.
For Edna, who was a nursing sister at the village for 15 years, it was a sad moment, but definitely not a goodbye.
She has promised to visit the residents from time to time.
“There is a time to let go and move on, and this is my time,” she says.
Edna knew so much about most of the residents and their families that she felt part of their lives in many ways.
She will spend time with her family and explore her creative side by making hanging baskets.
Jeanette was a frail care sister at the village for the last five years and says while she will miss the residents, she is going to enjoy her retirement.
She will do more knitting and sewing, things she never had time to do.
Matron Molly Shongwe says she learned a lot from Edna and Jeanette, and will miss them dearly.
Resident Wilf Cohen (89) described the women as ‘stars’.
The oldest resident, Trixie Richardson (99), couldn’t contain her happiness when Edna said she couldn’t wait for her 100th birthday party.
Village manager Theresa Fry says Edna and Jeanette were an asset to the village.
It was evident that the women will be dearly missed.
