Denice Lorraine VAN DYK

Other Events:

• Divorced: South Africa; Divorce

Family/Spouse: Paul Joseph WHELAN. Paul was born on 10 Aug 1957. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Brendon Tobias WHELAN was born on 2 Feb 1994.

Family/Spouse: Gary ELSTINS. Gary was born on 6 Jun 1960. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lynette Caroline van Wyk neé Lamberti - Step Daughter

Although Kosie was my stepfather, he loved me like his own. He was always there to talk to and help me. We spent great times together, especially when he was building at home. He was so patient.

One memory was of me learning to ride a bike. He would take the side wheels off, and I would try riding the bike and not come right, and he would then patiently put back the wheels and he would do this exercise all over the next day. Until one day, I woke up from a dream dreaming I could ride, he believed in me and once again took off the wheels and I showed him I could ride. He was very proud of me.

What was hard for me, was to watch him whilst being so ill, all the ops and procedures he had to go through. I would always remember him for his big heart, patience, love and support. He never gave up on me. I'm grateful for everything he has taught me, not only with words, but through his actions.

Jacomina Gertruida (Minnie) Constantinou neé van Dyk - Youngest Sister

Koos was the quiet brother. He worked as a glazer. He had a passion for farming, and wanted to farm with sheep. To this end our parents sold the house our dad had built in Craighallpark (57 Lancaster Avenue, Craighall Park). The funds were not sufficient to buy a farm and implements. So they just bought implements and rented the farms that they lived on.

He absoluely worshiped our mom and vowed never to get married until she had passed away. His reason being, that no woman would understand and it nor would it be fair to put someone through that.

Melinda (Lindie) van der Schyf neé Brooks - Neice

Uncle Koos was ALWAYS fun to be around. He played guitar and Hawaian guiter. He would let me play the Hawaian Guitar and said oneday when I am big I can have it. He never had a problem to get down on the ground and play with us. I also do not think I have ever seen him angry.

Aunty Noline recalls me telling him he is 100 years old and he would reply 'O ja!'

Only good memories.

Jacobus married Noline FESTER. Noline was born on 22 Sep 1944. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jacomina Gertruida (Minnie) Constantinou neé van Dyk - Youngest Daughter

Our father's mom died when he was still a baby. He was the youngest of 4, having 3 older sisters. His father remarried Ouma Battie neé Louw. She had 6 other children when marrying Dad's father. Ouma Battie's mom was 106 years old when she passed away on Shannon's birthday.

When my dad was still young, he would take his horse and travel about a hundred miles to his favourite place in the world ... the Kalahari. He said that was the best place to look at the stars and moon at night. This he stopped doing once he got married. He was also a strong swimmer who loved swimming in the Vaal River.

After getting married, our parents lived in Lichtenburg and worked on the 'delwery'. Both Jimmy and Maude were born there. From there they moved to 57 Lancaster Avenue Craighall Park. The house dad built, he built right at the back of the property so that there was place in the front of the house for the boys to play with a ball.

Dad was also very artistic. He once moulded a horse for a horse owner, but then did not want to part with it. The last time I recall seeing it was in Maude's home. He also made little 'play-play' stoves for us, in which we could make real fires and really cook on.

He worked at Mandy's Engineering which was a foundry. Regardless of how dirty the job was, when Dad left for or returned from work he was always neatly dressed in a trouser, shirt, collar and tie ... and always with a hat.

On his way home at night, he would stop and buy the 'The Star' newspaper. Every night he would read 'Curly Wee' to Dot and I, in English, and then explain it to us in Afrikaans. Then we would each have to re-tell the story to him, first in English and the in Afrikaans, so that he was sure we fully understood it.

Dad loved fishing, and every second month he would load us all up into his big Diamond-T truck and take us fishing somewhere near Krugersdorp where there were caves and a little river. Was a trip we always looked forward to and enjoyed so much.

Times were tough, and as soon as the children were old enough to work, they had to leave school so that they sould help support the family.

Our Dad's favourite food was the Sunday meal. He would always choose what he wanted our Mom to cook, and more often than not it was roast chicken, rice, potatoes, beans, pumpkin etc. All grown and reared ourselves. His favourite pudding was Jelly and ice cream.

After Our Mom died his Life Partner was Lorraine Fester (Mother of the wife of our youngest brother Koos van Dyk) They lived in a flat in Mayfair for quite a while, from where they then moved to a flat that Koos built at their home in Alberton. There they stayed untill Dad died.

Lindie van der Schyf neé Brooks - Granddaughter

We often visited Oupa in the flat in Mayfair. He would tell me if my parents wanted to give me a hiding, I was to pack my suitcase and live with him. It was always fun visiting him and Aunty Lorraine. First of all, we always got such delicious food to eat. Then when going home, down would come the old coffee tin and I would get to choose three or so sweeties (From the Checkers Pick 'n Mix).

No child ever really wants to make tea and coffee for their parents ... BUT ... it was ALWAYS a pleasure when visiting Oupa. Why ... ... ... well the was a honey bottle (With a big yellow bee on) filled with condensed milk next to the kettle ... ... ... that really worked for me. How I though no one ever noticed that once I had been to visit there was always a substantial drop in the condensed milk level. They pretended not to notice.

I have memories of sitting with Oupa on his bed singing with him to Mississippi (A Pussycat Hit). He really liked that song and when it came on he would turn that little radio up loud. He used to use snuff, and on the odd occasion gave me some. Yes, I sneezed myself silly, but never learned the lesson. Maybe that is why I love sneezing today.

When I was in boarding school, on one occasion I visited with Oupa at the Johannesburg General Hospital, and he made me vow that I would never become a nurse. He did not want me exposed to working with or seeing naked men. He was very adamant about it and I had to make a solemn promise that I would never become a nurse.

Christina Ellen (Stienie) Blom neé van Dyk - Oudste Kleinkind

Vanaf 1963, sovêr ek kan onthou, het ek baie goeie tye saam met Ouma Mynie gehad toe ek by haar op die plaas gaan kuier het.

Eerstens, die plaashuis anderkant die populiersbos ... ... ... Daar het ek en my sus Bettie, en soms my boeties ook, gekuier. Voor die huis het 'n diep watervoor verby gevloei. Aan die kant van die huis was daar 'n groot poel wat met tyd gevorm het waar die trekkers deurgery het na die lande verderaan. Daar in die poel het ons altyd te lekker baljaar.

Soggens het die kombuishulp die lekkerste pap gemaak waarby Ouma eiers gebak het en oor die pap vir ons geskep het. Dan het Ouma vir ons uit die Bybel uit voorgelees en ons het hande gevat om saam te bid. Ouma het dan brood geknie en ons het uit die huis gegaan om te gaan speel. Ouma het die brode in die buite oond gebak, die lekkerste was die egte plaasbotter op 'n sny warm boere brood. Somtyds het Ouma vir ons eiervrug (in dun skyfies gesny) in botter gebak en op die brood was dit 'n heerlike lekkerny. Ook was varkvet op brood met sout en peper vir my konings kos.

Klokslag, elke dag voor 10h00, het daar 'n groot likkewaan in die watervoor afgekom. Ons het buite gespeel en as dit warm was het ons in die water baljaar. Ek onthou nog eendag, toe Oom Sidney nog by Tannie Minnie gekuier het, dat hulle saam met ons buite was waar ons geswem het en in die son gelê het. Ewe skielik was die kombers waarop ons lë oor my kop, en Oom Sid sê ek moet nie koekeloer nie, want ek mag nie sien wat grootmense doen nie, maar ek het geweet hy wil weer 'n soentjie steel.

Ouma was baie lief vir naaldwerk. Destyds was die meel sakkies van wit linne gemaak met patrone op gedruk. Sy het die sakkies spierwit uitgewas en dan die patrone uitgeborduur en vadoeke en voorskote gemaak. Van die groot sakke het sy kussingslope gemaak. Sy sou op die stoep in die koelte sit om ons dop te hou terwyl ons in die water speel. Altyd besig met die een of ander naaldwerkie.

As Oupa op die plaas was, het hy altyd saam met Oom Koos buite gewerk. Op 'n dag in 1964, terwyl Oupa aan sy kar gewerk het, het ek amper op 'n groen boomslang getrap wat uit die boom in die water geval het. Toe ek gil was Oupa dadelik by en gooi die slang met 'n moersleutel wat in sy hand was. Daardie dag was oupa ook amper gepik toe hy en Pennie (die jong bediende wat na ons gekeyk het) tussen die water plante gesoek het vir die slang. Skielik roep Pennie dat Oupa moet stilstaan, want ta se kind lê op 'n blaar van die waterplant digby Oupa se gesig. Sy het die slang toe doodgemaak. Daardie nag begin ek nagmerries kry en Oupa het gery van die plaas af na 'n noodapteek in Johannesburg om vir my medisyne te gaan kry.

Daar was ook familiebyeenkomste op die plaas gehou. Dan word daar geslag, bees, skaap en vark. Almal het dan hulle deel gekry om saam te neem huis toe. Ouma het 'n groot kole yskas gehad net buite die agterdeur waarin sy al die vleis, groente en eiers in gebêre het. Sy het ook vet uitgebraai en frikkedelle ingelê in flesse.

Kerstyd was die familie ook almal weer bymekaar. Die groeter kinders, ek en Shannon, het dan met al die kleintjies gespeel. Die plaashuis was baie groot en ons kon lekker wegkruipertjie speel in hom. Oom Joe en Oom Sid het altyd vir die kinders poetse gebak.

Jare daarna, by die plaashuis met die grasdak, was daar ook goeie tye gewees. Daar het ons lekker gespeel en ook in die besproeingsdam agter die huis geswem. Gereeld in die vrugte bome geklim, veral as die vrugte ryp was. Soms het ons ook gaan kyk hoe die werkers boontjies verpak vir die mark, of saam Oupa gery om vir Oom Koos kos weg te bring na die buurplaas waar hy op die tabaklande gewerk het.

Ek sal die plaashuise vir altyd onthou. As ek kon skilder, sou ek dit wat ek voor my geestesoog sien, op doek wou vas lê.

Die hartseerste dag was toe ons in die Kaap met vakansie was en die tyding gekry het van Ouma se afsterwe. Ons het dadelik gepak en teruggekom vir haar begrafnis. Dit was net so hartseer toe ons vir oulaas plaas toe is om al Ouma se goedjies op te pak. Daar het ek besef dat dat dit 'n deel van my lewe was wat afgesluit is.

Na Ouma se dood het het Oupa Mayfair in Johannesburg, Transvaal toe getrek. Ons het daar vir hom gaan kuier en hy het gereeld vir ons kom kuier.

Oupa en Ouma was twee groot ouers wat enige kind trots en geliefd laat voel het. Hulle was die sout van die aarde.

Rhonél Winnifred Woodford neé De Wet - Granddaughter

I never saw Oupa not dressed well. I had an amazing opportunity to spend time with Oupa just before his death. I had to drive his car from Alberton to town and he took me along to all his friends, from the Chinaman right through to the last one. He introduced me to them and said he is busy teaching me to drive. It was only later I realised he was saying goodbye to all of them.

Then on the return back to Alberton I had to manoeuvre the car at that very steep downhill at a robot in Southcrest near where Uncle Joe and Auntie Lettie stayed. Getting closer to the red robot Oupa told me the breaks not very good I should try the handbrake. WOW!!! That was a scary revalation, I can still feel my heart beat. Oupa did not die that day, but I am sure that trip did cut his life short at least by one day. Although Oupa never taught me to drive, I was so proud when he declared that I had passed his tests. He used to chain his car to the tree, it was a green Peugeot station wagon.

When he was in hospital for the 2nd last time I had the opportunity to spend it with him every day and I realised then what a proud old man he was.

I was very lucky to spend time with both my grandparents shortly before their deaths and there are memories I will always treasure, even though we lived far away in the Free State.

Joseph married Jacomina Gertruida DE LA REY. Jacomina (daughter of Jacobus Herculaas (Koos) DE LA REY) was born on 20 Apr 1906; died on 9 Jan 1967 in Johannesburg, S A. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jacomina Gertruida (Minnie) Constantinou neé van Dyk - Youngest Daughter

Our mom was a humble person who never raised her voice. Love was always streaming from her, I am sure she was an Angel sent by God to be our mom. When we were naughty she would only make 'Big Eyes' and we all knew to tow the line.

Mom was born in the Cape. They resettled to Betuanaland, now Botswana, and that is where she grew up. She learned to speak the mother tongue of the black people as well as they could. Her Mom died when she was 9. She was the eldest daughter and had to take care of her younger sister Hester and the household. The black people taught her how to cook as well.

Her father was the son of Genl De La Rey, who would often come and visit to see if the children were ok after their mom had passed away.

When moving out as adults her eldest brother Koos lived in Vryburg. Her other brother Pieter married a lady with the name Hester (Who was crazy about Stan, Maude's 1st husband). Hester and Pieter had a son Ronnie and two daughters Erin and Cecilia, who used to be a real little snip when she was small. Mom's younger sister, also Hester, married Lovey Schmidt. They never had any children and always wanted me to go and live with them.

Mom baked bread daily. When Jimmy was off in the navy it was the remaining 5 children, Mom and Dad and 2 of Dad's half brothers all had to be fed. Her food was always tasty. Friday nights she would make fish and chips. The rest of the week was real 'Boere kos' with veggies from our garden and meat and rice or mealie rice. Sundays was roast chicken and Dad would choose what pudding he would like to have. His favourite pudding Bottled Peaches with Jelly and Ice Cream. We had our own vegetable garden and our own chickens. Some to slaughter and others for eggs. I was only allowed to carry 1 egg at a time

Our Mom really loved Bing Crosby's music. She always used to say "Hy kan maar sy skoene onder my bed kom sit". We had a radio, but the brothers also played for our entertainment. Joe played a piano and pianoaccordian, Koos played violin, guitar and Hawaiian guitar. Invariably the violin was out of tune, because I would always 're tune' it for Koos.

Our Mom could make the most beautiful clothes. She once made such a stunning evening dress for Maude to go dancing in, a pink dress with silver stars.

When Mom was released from hospital, she told me that she had cancer. She had to take 2 tablets a day and the 2 of us would rest a short while in the afternoon.

Melinda (Lindie) van der Schyf neé Brooks - Granddaughter

Oumie passed away when I was only 2. So I do not really have a vivid memory of her. What I do have is a 'knowing' of sleeping behind her back when she came to visit in the house we were renting from Dad's brother Uncle Willy. Somehow I also have a 'knowing' of her soft gentle soul

Christina Ellen (Stienie) Blom neé van Dyk - Oudste Kleinkind

Vanaf 1963, sovêr ek kan onthou, het ek baie goeie tye saam met Ouma Mynie gehad toe ek by haar op die plaas gaan kuier het.

Eerstens, die plaashuis anderkant die populiersbos ... ... ... Daar het ek en my sus Bettie, en soms my boeties ook, gekuier. Voor die huis het 'n diep watervoor verby gevloei. Aan die kant van die huis was daar 'n groot poel wat met tyd gevorm het waar die trekkers deurgery het na die lande verderaan. Daar in die poel het ons altyd te lekker baljaar.

Soggens het die kombuishulp die lekkerste pap gemaak waarby Ouma eiers gebak het en oor die pap vir ons geskep het. Dan het Ouma vir ons uit die Bybel uit voorgelees en ons het hande gevat om saam te bid. Ouma het dan brood geknie en ons het uit die huis gegaan om te gaan speel. Ouma het die brode in die buite oond gebak, die lekkerste was die egte plaasbotter op 'n sny warm boere brood. Somtyds het Ouma vir ons eiervrug (in dun skyfies gesny) in botter gebak en op die brood was dit 'n heerlike lekkerny. Ook was varkvet op brood met sout en peper vir my konings kos.

Klokslag, elke dag voor 10h00, het daar 'n groot likkewaan in die watervoor afgekom. Ons het buite gespeel en as dit warm was het ons in die water baljaar. Ek onthou nog eendag, toe Oom Sidney nog by Tannie Minnie gekuier het, dat hulle saam met ons buite was waar ons geswem het en in die son gelê het. Ewe skielik was die kombers waarop ons lë oor my kop, en Oom Sid sê ek moet nie koekeloer nie, want ek mag nie sien wat grootmense doen nie, maar ek het geweet hy wil weer 'n soentjie steel.

Ouma was baie lief vir naaldwerk. Destyds was die meel sakkies van wit linne gemaak met patrone op gedruk. Sy het die sakkies spierwit uitgewas en dan die patrone uitgeborduur en vadoeke en voorskote gemaak. Van die groot sakke het sy kussingslope gemaak. Sy sou op die stoep in die koelte sit om ons dop te hou terwyl ons in die water speel. Altyd besig met die een of ander naaldwerkie.

As Oupa op die plaas was, het hy altyd saam met Oom Koos buite gewerk. Op 'n dag in 1964, terwyl Oupa aan sy kar gewerk het, het ek amper op 'n groen boomslang getrap wat uit die boom in die water geval het. Toe ek gil was Oupa dadelik by en gooi die slang met 'n moersleutel wat in sy hand was. Daardie dag was oupa ook amper gepik toe hy en Pennie (die jong bediende wat na ons gekeyk het) tussen die water plante gesoek het vir die slang. Skielik roep Pennie dat Oupa moet stilstaan, want ta se kind lê op 'n blaar van die waterplant digby Oupa se gesig. Sy het die slang toe doodgemaak. Daardie nag begin ek nagmerries kry en Oupa het gery van die plaas af na 'n noodapteek in Johannesburg om vir my medisyne te gaan kry.

Daar was ook familiebyeenkomste op die plaas gehou. Dan word daar geslag, bees, skaap en vark. Almal het dan hulle deel gekry om saam te neem huis toe. Ouma het 'n groot kole yskas gehad net buite die agterdeur waarin sy al die vleis, groente en eiers in gebêre het. Sy het ook vet uitgebraai en frikkedelle ingelê in flesse.

Kerstyd was die familie ook almal weer bymekaar. Die groeter kinders, ek en Shannon, het dan met al die kleintjies gespeel. Die plaashuis was baie groot en ons kon lekker wegkruipertjie speel in hom. Oom Joe en Oom Sid het altyd vir die kinders poetse gebak.

Jare daarna, by die plaashuis met die grasdak, was daar ook goeie tye gewees. Daar het ons lekker gespeel en ook in die besproeingsdam agter die huis geswem. Gereeld in die vrugte bome geklim, veral as die vrugte ryp was. Soms het ons ook gaan kyk hoe die werkers boontjies verpak vir die mark, of saam Oupa gery om vir Oom Koos kos weg te bring na die buurplaas waar hy op die tabaklande gewerk het.

Ek sal die plaashuise vir altyd onthou. As ek kon skilder, sou ek dit wat ek voor my geestesoog sien, op doek wou vas lê.

Die hartseerste dag was toe ons in die Kaap met vakansie was en die tyding gekry het van Ouma se afsterwe. Ons het dadelik gepak en teruggekom vir haar begrafnis. Dit was net so hartseer toe ons vir oulaas plaas toe is om al Ouma se goedjies op te pak. Daar het ek besef dat dat dit 'n deel van my lewe was wat afgesluit is.

Na Ouma se dood het het Oupa Mayfair in Johannesburg, Transvaal toe getrek. Ons het daar vir hom gaan kuier en hy het gereeld vir ons kom kuier.

Oupa en Ouma was twee groot ouers wat enige kind trots en geliefd laat voel het. Hulle was die sout van die aarde.

Rhonél Winnifred Woodford neé De Wet - Granddaughter

What I can remember is that Ouma died when I was nearly 7. She used to safe guard me totally. The times I spent with her on the farm along with Shannie and Kosie were the best! I recall how she used to say that she always wanted to cut her hair shorter, when she had no choice to, after the Wicks Bubblegum I stuck behind her ears when I slept with her, got tangled in hair.

The times we use to go down the "voor" in the big bathtubs were awesom, best times on the farm. Then if you could just dip your hands in her tins of biscuits. She always had something for every one. She really loved my father and I think she was the only mother figure he ever had in his life.
Sometimes though I think he missed her more than what my mother did - my opinion only.

I was very lucky to spend time with both my grandparents shortly before their deaths and there are memories I will always treasure, even though we lived far away in the Free State.