At 100 years of age, Margaret Paulsen, of Retreat, isn’t as quick on her feet as she once was because of arthritis, but she still prioritises going to church and visiting her next-door neighbours as often as she can.
Ms Paulsen was born on May 20 1924 in Greyton, a small town in the Overberg, but she was sent to live with family in Cape Town as a baby after her mother died and her father was unable to care for her and her five siblings.
She visited Greyton during the school holidays but grew up in Retreat where she attended the Methodist Church School.
After school, she worked as a domestic worker in Claremont and Fish Hoek, and she attributes her good health to her long years of service, working up until the age of 80.
“I didn’t want to sit at home, I wanted to get out there and work, but on my 80th birthday, I decided that it was time for me to stop working, and fortunately my employer paid for me a pension fund which helped me a lot.”
Sitting in her usual spot, near the front door of her Simba Crescent home from where she can see and greet her neighbours, Ms Paulsen reminisced about days gone by and how different the world is today.
“Back in the day, things were a lot more ‘rustig’. There was more peace. Now the world is ‘deurmekaar’ with shootings and killings. You can’t even sit outside because you never know when a bullet might come your way.”
Ms Paulsen has lived in Simba Crescent for 59 years. Her husband, Joseph, died a few years ago. Two of her three daughters have since died along with two of her 11 grandchildren. She has 19 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren.
Asked what her secret to a long life and good health was, she warned against drinking, smoking and dancing.
“You must just put your trust in the Lord. I’ve never smoked or drunk alcohol and I have been fully involved in the church for all my life which has also kept me busy. You must just put your trust in the Lord.”
Her family threw a special birthday party for her on Saturday May 25 with more than 100 guests.
Her grandson, Lionel Paulsen, 66, who was raised by his grandmother and calls her his mother, said it was an honour to still have her in his life.
“We as a family are dedicated to taking care of her because she did whatever she could in her capacity to give us good lives.
“Even with her small pension that she got, she would help anyone who needed help. It doesn’t matter who you were. She truly is a remarkable woman,” said Mr Paulsen.
Ms Paulsen thanked everyone who played a role in her life and said she would continue to live her life serving God.
“I feel happy to be 100 years old, but I don’t think I want to live 100 more,” she said, giggling.
