Meet Maureen Mandell

Life throws curveballs to everyone, some harsher than others, but it’s how people deal with those unintended mishaps that moulds their character.

Chatting to Maureen Mandell, a resident of Le Domaine Care who turns 80 in September, one has to feel admiration for someone who cherishes each day, is happy when chatting to fellow residents and who grabs every opportunity that’s available with purpose and a smile.

Listening to Maureen’s account of her life, I can sense a certain resilience. Having experienced some incredible ups and downs she simply smiles, accepting what has happened as belonging in the past and holds herself as an astute person with much self-pride and warmth in her heart.

Maureen lived in Knysna for many years, in a beautiful home, and having retired from the working world, kept herself busy with charity work, assisting the elderly with hairdressing and doing their nails, keeping the flame of dignity burning. She was in Knysna when the devastating fires left their mark nearly two years ago.

Maureen lived in Knysna for many years, in a beautiful home, and having retired from the working world, kept herself busy with charity work, assisting the elderly with hairdressing and doing their nails, keeping the flame of dignity burning. She was in Knysna when the devastating fires left their mark nearly two years ago.

“I had a beautiful home and it was heart-breaking to see what was happening to such a pristine area during those fires. It was getting closer and closer to me and my worst fears were confirmed when the fire department told us – me, my daughter, grand-daughter and great-grandchild - to move out as the situation was getting dangerous,” said Maureen. “We had packed what we could in our two cars but as we were reversing out the driveway, we were told to run on foot in the opposite direction as the road was too dangerous for driving and had been closed.”

All Maureen could take was a briefcase with all her important personal documents. Everything else had to be left behind. “Going down the road, a motorist stopped and offered a lift into town. I asked him to drop us at a petrol station as we had nowhere to go. At least we could sit and be close to food and some shelter,” she said. “While we were there, a friend of mine who ran a guesthouse phoned me and came to collect us. We stayed with her for a night before she was told to leave her home and we ended up at a restaurant on the Knysna waterfront, sleeping in a corner on the hard floor. At least we were surrounded by water there.”

“I lost my whole house. Everything. Including the cars. It was all burned, destroyed. Memories, a lifetime, a life story left in ruins and ashes. All I have, besides that briefcase I took, is a burnt pendant, half melted, grey from the ash. That’s it. I had to start again.”

Maureen’s voice lowers as she continues. “I lost my whole house. Everything. Including the cars. It was all burned, destroyed. Memories, a lifetime, a life story left in ruins and ashes. All I have, besides that briefcase I took, is a burnt pendant, half melted, grey from the ash. That’s it. I had to start again.”

It’s hard to comprehend what happened to Maureen and to consider how she has picked herself up and embraced a new chapter in her life.

“It’s something that happened and I have to move forward. I cannot change what happened and have to accept that it’s something I must live with. It’s behind me now and although I may have lost everything I am still here and I still have days, weeks, months and years to live,” she said. “I cannot live in the past and feel sorry for myself. I have found a new life here at Le Domaine Care and I could not be happier.”

Maureen’s son, who lives in Ballito, collected her from Knysna and once in KwaZulu-Natal, she started looking for a new home, finding comfort and all she needed at Le Domaine Care.

Her childhood, living on a dairy farm in De La Rey where she enjoyed a healthy, outdoor life which included horse riding and walking to and from school every day, gave her the strength to always look ahead and ride the ups and downs of life with aplomb.

“I am happy again. I still manage my own books all the time, enjoy looking after my plants and enjoy people and activities. Whatever is offered, I am a part of it,” said Maureen. “I have great friends here and have no complaints. My TV is on all day, allowing me to keep up with what’s happening in the world and at night, when I go to bed, I tune into the radio.”

It’s all about one’s attitude and Maureen sums it up best saying, “I have always been a happy person. There is much to be positive and grateful for. I am surrounded by people, am well looked after and am still in good health. I couldn’t ask for more.”