HIGH-FLYER:
Centenarian Georgina Harwood lands with Jason Baker after her third tandem parachute jump as part of her 100th birthday celebrations in Cape Town. Harwood died on Monday aged 103.
THE Newlands grandmother who defied the odds and showed that age is just a number when she skydived for her 100th birthday has passed away at 103.
Georgina Harwood died in her sleep on Monday morning.
The mother of four children and 14 grandchildren and great grandmother of 15 great-grandchildren was born on March 10, 1915 .
While she was crippled in the last few months and could not walk by herself, she would still go for walks and sit on the croquet field and take an interest in the game.
She played bridge every day and even took someone under her wing to teach them the ins and outs of the game recently.
Her oldest daughter, Sue Homer, 71, said: “Many people have been sending messages to say what they will miss most about her was her smile and her laugh.
“I will also miss her courage and strength. So many people have stopped and said how she inspired them and gave them a new sense of life.’’
She recalls one of the major highlights of her mother’s life was her 100th birthday party.
“She had 180 guests, 60 of them were her family and the following day she did her third skydive. Two days later she also did a shark cage dive.
“The parachute jumps added huge spice to her old life. It gave her a sense of really being alive.”
Harwood matriculated at the age of 15 and had her university degree by the time she was 18.
“She was one of the first housing managers in Cape Town. She worked in District Six, Kalk Bay and helped establish Athlone,” Homer said.
“In District Six she saw the need for ladies to be taught things, so she established women’s clubs there.
“She loved her work, it was a big decision for her to marry.”
Harwood was married in 1944 and retired in 1947 when her eldest daughter, Homer, was born.
For 14 years Harwood nursed her husband after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away in 1996 and for her it became important to keep herself mentally active, which is why bridge and sport were important to her.
An avid knitter, she also completed a jumper for her 17-year-old great-grandson a week ago.
“My mother was determined, disciplined, courageous, very kind, intelligent and empathetic, with a wonderful capacity to see when people need someone.”
In lieu of flower donations, the family said they would appreciate donations to the NSRI.