Husband’s memory lives on in thrift store
Grief and hardship can’t stop Bay woman from achieving her dream
After the heartbreak of her husband’s death due to a heart attack, a Nelson Mandela Bay businesswoman is finally smiling again, having made the dream the couple shared to open a thrift store a reality.
After many thoughts of giving up on opening a boutique that sells affordable secondhand clothing to women who would otherwise not be able to afford it, she said her husband’s spirit was still very much alive.
She named the store This is Us in remembrance of him.
Courage, determination and perseverance were the characteristics Aurette de Reuck, 56, needed to fulfil the challenge.
This is Us was officially opened in Walmer on May 5.
With her experience of about 30 years in the retail industry and as a beautician, she said she had learnt to be a marriage counsellor, psychologist and a shoulder to cry on for many women.
Remembering her late husband John’s words, she said he used to tell her she could achieve anything she set her mind to.
With support from their family and friends through her grief, she can now focus her energy on her business.
John died on July 13 last year.
“Over a period of 15 years, he survived three major heart attacks. He would normally come to pick me up from the retail store I was working in at the time.
“He always fetched me on time. It was pouring with rain that day. I noticed he was not there.
“I called him, he was not picking up, I called a friend who raced to me, then raced home.
“I rushed into the house. “He looked like he was sleeping, I said ‘lovie’ and there was no response.
“Normally I am a controlled person, I absorb a lot of pressure in life, but nothing prepared me for that day,” De Reuck said.
She said her husband had told her that he was confident that whatever little he managed to leave for her when he died one day, she would be able to make something out of it, and the Bay businesswoman did exactly that.
“The love of my life was a quiet man, my whole world was turned upside down when he died.
“We had known each other for 40 years, our love overcame so much.
“In this journey of grief you learn things about yourself that you would have never expected otherwise.
“It was my friends and family who encouraged me to open this boutique.
“I decided to name the boutique This is Us, which was appropriate because it would be based on our love story.
“I believe it is a platform for women who have experienced being broken, be it through divorce or death, this would be like a platform for women to meet up,” De Reuck said.
The boutique, therefore, also serves coffee and tea.
While understanding the impact of Covid-19, she wanted women to feel good about themselves, affordably.
“People had to downscale because of Covid-19, they are more aware of their budgets.
“Sustainability is all about educating people.
“You can appreciate good quality clothing that somebody else has worn before, you can fall in love with that same item.
“I want women to feel good about themselves, it is not about where you shop, it is how you wear an item. You can put anything together and look good and feel good.
“In church I was told I had a spirit of hospitality.
“I love caring for people, which is why I offer my clients coffee or tea so they feel important,” De Reuck said.
Lynette Gillmer, 72, who has been friends with De Reuck since 1982, said she was proud of her and wished her success.
“My husband died three months after her husband died, we have been there for each other every day.
“I am so happy for her, what she has accomplished is amazing,” Gillmer said.
The love of my life was a quiet man, my whole world was turned upside down when he died. We had known each other for 40 years, our love overcame so much’