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From: "Becky Horne" <>
Subject: Newspaper cuttings from the Eastern Cape - LEWIS
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 00:38:34 +0200


Herald, 18 Jul 2003
Death of remarkable Maisie, 108
by Helga van STAADEN

Lovable matriarch Maisie LEWIS of Heatherbank, Port Elizabeth, died on Tuesday at the age of 108 - a lifespan that touched three centuries. Her daughter and only child is Enid LOVEMORE, by whom Mrs. LEWIS had five grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with another on its way.

Yesterday, Mrs LOVEMORE remembered her mother as a "unique" person with a "zest for life. There were no frills about my mother. She was an individual who had a great sense of humour. "She used to love walking. She had no time for illnesses. And she was a true Scot," Mrs. LOVEMORE said.

One of her grandsons, Christopher, yesterday described her as a "remarkable, fun-loving person with a great sense of humour''. "I think that is one of the reasons she was so greatly loved by people," he said. "She faced her old age with a lot of courage. The last thing she said to me was: 'It was jolly fun', referring to her life. "We are all sad, but relieved that she passed away peacefully."

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1894, Mrs. LEWIS moved to South Africa in 1927 after she married her husband, Albert.
Mr. LEWIS was a soldier in the King's Own Scottish Borderers. The couple saw a magazine advertisement and moved to South Africa under the auspices of the 1820 Settlers Association. They settled in Greenbushes before relocating to Addo. Later they retired to Knysna. Mrs. LEWIS moved back to Port Elizabeth after her husband died.

A highlight in Mrs. LEWIS' life came soon after her 100th birthday when she was invited to tea by the Queen at the Port Elizabeth Club. A picture of the two of them together appeared on the front page of the Herald next day.

Yesterday, Mrs. LEWIS' nursing sister, Heleen CROCKER, described her as "the most remarkable person" she had ever met. She said Mrs. LEWIS was not just her patient, but her friend as well. "Everything to Maisie was a pleasure. She was the most thankful and positive person I have nursed in my 38-year career," Mrs. CROCKER said.

Mrs. LEWIS will have a private cremation service tomorrow.
There will be a memorial service on August 8 at St Cuthbert's, Westbourne Road, Central.

Best Wishes
Becky

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