For Mary Van der Schyff, living a healthy lifestyle and being God-fearing are the two crucial things that characterised her well-being for the past 100 years.
On Sunday 22 May, children, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren all gathered at Garden Village, Maitland to celebrate Van der Schyff’s 100th birthday.
The centenary, who is the second eldest of eight children, says she has never been sick and strives to live life to the full.
“I lived a healthy life, no one in my family was ever sick. I feel alright, no pain, nothing. I feel good. I am happy to see all my family here on my birthday.”
The afternoon celebrations kicked off with a prayer and a solo sang by Van der Schyff.
“I praise God for saving me,” sang Van der Schyff in a faint voice.
“Mom has always been a God-fearing woman,” explains daughter Shaheema Baatjies (61).
Baatjies says: “We decided to celebrate mom because we couldn’t do anything last year because of Covid-19. Mommy always tells me if I honour my mother and father, I will live a long life.”
According to Baatjies, her mother is still independent and prefers doing things for herself.
“She is still in good health, it’s just her hearing that is going now. But she dresses, wash and even cooks for herself. On Christmas Day last year, she still cooked for us and told me cooking lunch on Christmas is her duty.”
Baatjies believes the recipe to her mom’s long life is that she “stresses over nothing”.
“My mother doesn’t take anything to heart. When there are issues in the family, she doesn’t stress about it. And you will never hear mom bad-mouth someone else. If you gossip in her presence, she will stop you.”
Winfred Chapman (73), Van der Schyffs eldest daughter, says she has been married for 56 years and whenever she goes to her mother for marital advice, she would tell her to pray about whatever situation.
“Whenever I would speak to mom she would tell me, ‘My child take all your problems to the Lord.’ And this is something I will always do.”
Zelda Swartz (54), Van der Schyff’s second eldest grandchild, says her grandmother is always reserved.
“She never interferes in anyone’s business in the family. She has a lot of patience with everyone. She is also a good cook, and we enjoy her cooking. My grandmother is a God-fearing and a family person.”
Van der Schyff has four children, nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren
