Not many people have witnessed the transformations that Irene
Watson has – after all, she was born just after the end of World War I.
That was before penicillin, bubble gum, nylon, and aerosol
cans were invented. When she turned 102 on September 8, the resident of Rand
Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre in Edenvale could say she had just lived through
the mass introduction of artificial intelligence applications, like ChatGPT.
Despite the many technological breakthroughs unfolding
around her, Irene enjoyed an old-fashioned celebration – a birthday cake and
tea enjoyed in the company of loved ones, fellow residents and staff.
Irene was born in
Darlington, England, in 1921. On completing her education at the Catholic
Immaculate Conception School, she started work at Binns Departmental Store in
the accounts department.
She married Reg
Watson in 1944 and had two children, Trevor and Fiona. In 1957, the family emigrated to Southern Rhodesia and
settled in Bulawayo.
“These were the
best days of their life,” says Irene’s daughter, Fiona Martin.
Fiona says after
much consideration, her parents decided to emigrate to South Africa in 1982 to
be nearer their children. They initially lived in Kempton Park, then moved to
Port Elizabeth, before moving into Tarantaal Retirement Village, where they
were among the first village residents.
“My mom was an
avid reader, loved doing crossword puzzles and joined the Toast Mistress’s Club
in Kempton Park.”
Sadly, Reg passed
away in 2001 and son Trevor in 2016.
Irene continued
to live independently in her Tarantaal home until 2016, when she moved to Ron
Smith Care Centre.
“She is given the
best care and attention,” says Fiona.
Irene’s
daughter-in-law Kate and granddaughter Sarah both live in America, but Fiona lives
close by, in Benoni, and visits Irene regularly.
Irene Watson
(102) with Ron Smith Care Centre employees Bianca Dlomo and Lindiwe Hhlope.