Family and friends surrounded Evelyn Fennessy when she turned 90 on January 4, 2020.
Loved ones travelled from Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and nearby Johannesburg to be with their mom, mom-in-law, gran, aunt and sister on her big day. Evelyn is a resident of Rand Aid’s Thembalami Care Centre and its garden lapa made the perfect setting for the celebration.
Thembalami staff members who are involved in Evelyn’s care were invited to enjoy the spread of cooldrink, cake and pastries.
“We all had a wonderful day and shared very special memories with Evelyn,” said granddaughter Janis Penny.
Evelyn was a bowls enthusiast and champion player. She achieved Western Province (WP) colours and played WP bowls while she was living in Cape Town. She moved to Durban and continued playing bowls in KwaZulu-Natal until the age of 85. Evelyn also loved bridge and table tennis and played both up until her stroke in July 2019. She also loved to watch test cricket. She was a social butterfly and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Evelyn moved to Thembalami from Rand Aid’s Tarentaal retirement village in September.
“I am so glad that my gran is in the best place; where she is showered with care, unconditional love, support and hope. Keep up the amazing work at Thembalami,” said Janis.
Making Evelyn Fennessy’s 90th birthday extra special were, in the back row: Helen Korsten (sister: Johannesburg), Bridget Cutler (great niece: Johannesburg), Richard Penny (Evelyn’s son from Port Elizabeth) and Lauren Penny (granddaughter: Cape Town). Front: Brenda Penny (daughter-in-law: Cape Town), Evelyn and Janis Penny (granddaughter: Cape Town).
