Yvonne Ena Giddy was born in Scotland 29 June 1916. Died at age 100 and 45 days on 14th August 2016
Today we celcebrate this occasion of her birth with her family. People have travelled from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to join Ena for a Midday Meal.
This celebration takes place in Plettenberg Bay in her home where the table is set for 22 people.
Saturday morning 18th June 2016 -- Drive to Plett with St John and Edie for Ena 100th birthday party. At the Party are Patrick; Marianne and friend Inky; Thomas; Isabelle; St John; Lene; Jessica; Joshua; Daniel; Alice; Julia; Anne; Edie; Nicky and Werner; Barbara and myself Catered by Violet and daughter. A most successful afternoon.
NICKY AND ENA AT THE 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Patrick wrote out a speech for Ena's 100th birthday
He had decorated the lounge with 100 X balloons and over the dining table were Ten Balloons with each decade 1916 to 2016 written on the balloon.
The party was held 11 days early to allow for traveling time. It was a long weekend.
1916 -- In Dumfries, near Glasgow, a baby was born to Yvonne (Nee Majorel) and Wilfred Spence, named Henriette after Yvonnes younger brother Henri who had died recently in the Great War. While in the same year, not far from there, Henri Major Gie, South African Colonial Forces, was killed, leaving his daughter Beatrice, 18, who was to become Henriette's mother in law.
But Henriette did not survive because Wilfred was dissatisfied with the name and re baptized her after her mother Yvonne (Second name Ena) as her brother had been named after his father Wilfred, Second name Ian.
1920's -- The children (Ena and Ian) were subjected to a strict regime from their wealthy father and the nannies, sitting up straight, eating what is on your plate, not extending your little finger while drinking your tea. The marriage did not last. Ena, now back to Henriette, was schooled in Paris, had first communion at he Church Monmartre, spent a year in Madrid, Spain with aunt Mathilde.
1930's -- Wilfred pursued and remarried Yvonne at the English Church in Paris. Yvonne's brother Andre, increasingly wealthy, was there as well as Brother in law Marice Valetta. Ian and Ena went off to Boarding school in England when not at home in Levington Spa where tennis parties were held. a year of Piano playing - Madrid meant Ena was a Prodigy. Or as her teacher sir Edwards Elgar said: "Played like a monkey" (Just as well he did not Tweet that remark)
1940's -- Ena is now studying Domestic Science in Edinburgh. And Ian at Cambridge (Mining Engineering). The marriage is again over. War breaks out. The whole French family decamps to Dorgone, to the cluster Tenpillac, next door to where Jane Curruthers, now Edwards, Patricks ex girlfriend from Johannesburg, would set up an XXXXXX?. 2010?
Allan Giddy lands on the toe of Italy to liberate the Italians from the Germans. Ena and mother land in Durban, South Africa, before driving to Johannesburg where Ena works as a Chauffeur for a prominent businessman; eventually buying a small holding on the Vaal, using Italian prisoners of war as labour. Ena meets the charming Allan, returned from the war, at a tennis party. Allan is now a qualified accountant. Ena writes a note to him; "Do come for a drink. And stay for supper". At this time Ena is at the Agricultural College in Potchefstroom. " I am off to do spot of shopping" she writes; "Then the flicks". They marry! Allan's younger brother David is there, And Ian, And his mother of course. Little Ian is born.
1950's -- The young family is established at 177 Jan Smuts Avenue, a few blocks from where, 20 years later, on the same road, Marianne would grow up. With Allan's mother in law of course. Soon to be known as Nene. Who decides if it is time for her son to marry and warns her French and Spanish family that Ian is coming to Europe to find a bride. He returns unexpectedly with a beautiful Swedish Aristocrat Alice Leyervendad. But Allan gets a job with Modern Appliances in Cape Town and the family decamps to Fish Hoek. Where Nene buys a block of flats (Bru na Mare) next to the beach and the three boys enjoy swimming and Jaggers walk while Nene and Ena go to Auctions and make Mayonaise. The boys buy 7up and sweets at the Greet Parrot Café which is alas an estate agent now. A great overseas trip is arranged by dumping the boys with Alice in Messina. Finally the family moves to Port Elizabeth. Ena follows Allan some time later with boys in the back of the car. The steering pin breaks and the car and family ends up in a ditch near to Heidelberg. First off it is Burton Road in Mill Park where Sunday Tennis parties are held. Then a flat in Park Drive, walking distance from St Georges Prep. Spence children come too.
1960's -- Its the Great Mr Giddy managing director of Giddy's Appliances, Headquarters in North End, Branches all over, Telling Mrs Housewife which refrigerator to buy to meet all her needs. Family holidays are no longer in Fish Hoek but now in Plett in the caravan at Piesang Valley. Nene still complains that her back is bumped by children's swinging legs in the car.. Ian is at Wits, Margaret Panades visits. The whole family has a holiday in Europe over December and January. We walk upstairs to great aunts flat in Paris.
1970's. -- Ena and Allan move to Johannesburg to 7 Killarney Park Flats. And to a social life and Golf. Ena gets a lap dog. Ian is in the USA and marries. Peter goes to PE to work and marries Barbara. Patrick is a perpetual student at UCT bringing home unsuitable friends. The security police phones and Questions Allan. Nene dies. Allan and Ena retire to Plett. Build a house at 3 Rectory Lane. Trips overseas, Walking in Wales. Geneology research takes over. Edie reinstates herself as a research assistant to Allan.
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1980's -- Patrick becomes a monk and is sent to Lesotho. Ena and Allan visit: Where is the toilet for Whites asks Ena. Ian marries Rachel (3rd attempt), this time in Plett. Peter and Barbara are pregnant again. Patrick is in Oxford and marries Patti. More overseas trips. Far East and others. The fight against Apartheid is at its height.
1990's; Allan dies quickly of cancer. Giles takes over the family finances. Ena moves to Hill House. Peter stops having children and starts to Adopt some more. Patrick is in Lesotho at Roma. Mandela is released from prison and general elections are held. Various Plett people develop Altzheimers. David and Zoe move to Perth. Patrick moves to Durban where St John is born.
2000's -- Ena and Ann Thomas are building houses on the Wildcliff Reserve near Heidelberg. Back and forth in her bakkie. Ena has become a well known figure in Plett. When we visit they frown at us; "Ons sien haar loop in die straat Stok alleen en ons vra -- waars haar mense?" Her eyesight deteriorates. 90th Birthday party in Johannesburg. Patrick marries Marianne. At 93 Ena takes the bus to Durban. Fails to reboard in Kingwilliamstown so Dominic and Patrick have to get her at midnight in the centre of town with the following bus. But she visits the new born Thomas. Ian marries Jenny. Grandchildren now visit frequently; Nicky Isabelle and others. She now has 11 grandchildren. Great grandchildren start to appear and she will soon have 11 of those.
But Ian dies of Cancer; Dominique is murdered; Michael dies of Cancer. Ena is there at Dominique's funeral and at Michael's supporting even though she needs support.
2016; -- So here we are -- Her balloon is still full of air with a bit of help. She still enjoys company, family gossip, visits and outings. No longer are cakes baked with salt instead of sugar. The marmalade gets even more delicious. St John is now ok because he doesn't play with light switches. Nicky is wonderful so is Julia and Isabelle even though she went off with the sleeping bag. Violett is a blessing. Anne is a saint and Alice is far too good. And Daughters-in-Law are never good enough.
At this party:
Patrick Giddy Retired Philosophy Prof; Marianne Leadership Development ; Isabelle off to Mozambique to save Dugongs; St John At Rhodes University; Thomas 8 -- Giddy
Peter Giddy -- retired & now a tour guide and doing some part time admin work; Barbara Housewife/ horse, dog and bird rescue campaigner;
Nicky Steenkamp -- Promotions and event companies - Four Children -- Living in Riebeek Kasteel with Werner - professional musician
Edie Dore -- Living in PE with Dave. Working in an import company (Motorbike accessories).
Friend of Edie -- Terrence
Alice Spence -- Living between Plett and Jhb. Ian is in Hospital after a fall. He is now 101 years old.
Ann Thomas -- Living in Plett and Ena's best friend and helping hand
Lene Giddy - Radiographer -with Jessica - Grade 10 Pearson high; Josh and Daniel - Grade 6 and 5 - Clarendon Park PE.
Inky - Friend of Marianne living in George - visited Ena when she most needed a friend.
Julia Giddy achieved Phd 2016 - Living in Johannesburg and working at the University on Research projects.
Violet and daughter who prepared and served the meal -- starter Salmon; Main - Lamb Curry with ensembles; Lasagne. Desert consisted of a number of cakes including a Pavlova made by Isabelle; Ice Cream and Custard.
Sadly Ena suffered a stroke soon after she had turned 100 and exactly 90 days after her 100th birthday she died on Sunday morning 14th August 2016
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ReplyDeleteHow interesting to read this about your mother and dad - I remember staying over with them in Killarney in early 70's - I took over your room. You took me to a night spot where they were singing the folk songs of the time. I live in George now, retired as a baptist pastor.
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