More than 60 years ago, 12-year-old John Rayner went Christmas tree hunting with his mom on Signal Hill.
Back then, it was quite acceptable to saw down one of the pines, says John, who is now 75.
“As we were coming down, a man in a truck stopped to ask us where we were going with the tree. We said, ‘Home,’ and he gave us a lift and helped transport the tree home.”
John relived one of his happiest childhood memories at Huis Luckoff last month when his mother, Yvonne Misplon, celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday November 29.
Yvonne grew up in Mouille Point, the eldest of three children.
She has fond memories of learning to knit from the age of 6, an activity she enjoys to this day, helping the home’s knitting group make beanies, jerseys and blankets for charity.
As a young adult, she worked for a shipping company. “I really enjoyed it as I even went on overseas trips to South America and visited countries like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay,” she says.
She married the late Dr Ernest Rayner. The couple lived in Fresnaye and John was their only child, but Yvonne also has two grandchildren, Jessica Rayner, 36, and Paul Rayner, 41, who lives in New Zealand.
Yvonne attributes her longevity to good genes and says her late father, Frederick Bodkin, lived to 91.
She stayed with John in Bergvliet and later Diep River before moving to Huis Luckhoff two years ago.
John says he is not surprised his mother has made it to 100.
“She lives a healthy lifestyle, she eats all her fruit and vegetables and is always active in the garden.”
For her birthday bash, Yvonne enjoyed enjoyed cake with her fellow residents, and the Cape Welsh Choir came to sing for her.
“Not too many people get a chance to make it to this age, and to make it to 100 is a blessing and a gift,” says the home’s client liaison officer Charmaine Baker.
