Tatler, Thursday 2 December 2004

A Century of Experiences
By Karen Kotze

I’ve always been fascinated by history. These were the words of Joyce MELLOR as she ironically made history in her own home town.
On Sunday November 28, Mrs. MELLOR awoke to her own century of experiences. Born in Newlands in 1904, Mrs. MELLOR has enjoyed a full life and is still very much enjoying herself!
“I am flattered by all the fuss that everyone is making but I really don’t think I lived all that interesting a life, even 100 years of it,” she chuckled from her Kenilworth home.
Surrounded by her children and hundreds of flowers from well-wishers and family from abroad, Mrs. MELLOR tried in vain to choose her favourite invention of the past 100 years.
“Well I never miss the US Open on television,” she quipped, before settling on her children as being the highlight of her life.
“I have 11 great grandchildren. That’s quite something but I am prone to forgetting a birthday here or there along the way,” she admitted.
Her love of sports is still strong, as is her yen to travel.
“Oh, I’d happily travel, especially to England again. Now or anytime,” she said.
“I’ve realised it’s a different place now, not the place I remember. There’s so much crime there now, in England. I suppose its not much different here, there is so much crime here too now, isn’t there? I hate it, living like a prisoner. If my daughter goes out I can’t be outside. I just stay indoors until she comes home again,” Mrs. MELLOR says.
A member of the Progressive Party, Mrs. MELLOR says she was never a member of the Black Sash as reported in a daily newspaper.
She expects precise reports as her grandfather was Frederick York ST.LEGER, co-founder and first editor of the Cape Times. Mrs. MELLOR is his only surviving grand-daughter.
Bridg and gardening take up most of her time and she loves television, but she still reads avidly.
“I loved Thomas Packenham’s book on the Boer War. It was really well written,” she said. “I have also always enjoyed politics,” Mrs. MELLOR said.
“I received a letter from Archbishop TUTU which was really kind of him…and a letter from the Queen of England! Another of my favourites is Nelson MANDELA. I really admire him,” she said.
Mrs. MELLOR says that she would tell young people today to practise tolerance. “If they practise tolerance of all races and religions, that would solve so much,” she said.
Her views are strong even today, and she’s no less feisty for her years. Walking me to her door to bid me farewell she tutted at her children for fussing about her.
“I am 100, not crippled,” she said firmly to them, with a naughty wink in my direction.
And as much as they protested, her daughters loved the admonition. “Isn’t she wonderful?” they whispered as the gate swung shut.

[Original has photo captioned “Mrs. Joyce MELLOR, only surviving grand-daughter of Frederick York ST.LEGER, the co-founder and editor of the Cape Times, celebrated her 100th birthday.”

Cape Times, Monday March 1 2004
ST.LEGER
Bonnie
Died peacefully on 23rd February after a long illness borne with bravery and fortitude. Much loved daughter of Merle and Patrick, sister of Bruce, Robert and Thandi, and Aunty to Daniel, Jessica and Hugo. Also great great granddaughter of the founder of the Cape Times, Frederick York ST.LEGER. She will be sadly missed.