Sad farewell to much-loved CANSA stalwart Marlene Slabbert 12.05.1961 - 23.04.2021
MUCH-LOVED local CANSA volunteer Marlene Slabbert will be sorely missed after recently passing away.
CANSA fundraising manager, Sam Chigumburu said Marlene played a pivotal role in uniting the community and convincing people to find sponsorship for the new house, and the transitioning from Empangeni CANSA house to the new facility in Richards Bay about five years ago.
'She was tenacious and generous in the community, and she always had time for the CANSA team and volunteers, assisting with events and fundraisers.
'She assisted and helped our new staff from Durban to settle in locally, introduced all the members to the community; she dedicated her time to making lives better.'
Marlene was the youngest of three children, born to Hekkie and Marie Slabbert on 12 May 1961.
To the world, Marlene could be described as an introvert - quiet, humble and hardworking, but the truth is, Marlene seemed to understand how life was meant to be lived and had the formula of how to live a blissful existence.
She appreciated the people around her and made time for family, as well as enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
In fact, a perfect Sunday for Marlene would be a glass of Coke and an article in the Huisgenoot about Steve Hofmeyr!
She was also fiercely patriotic, spending her holidays and hard-earned money travelling the country and visiting heritage sites with her sister Mildred.
Mildred and Marlene were like two peas in a pod and the two were rarely not in each other’s company. Mildred drove and Marlene provided GPS navigation.
After a long, tiring trip, Mildred would braai, and Marlene would keep the cups filled with gin and tonic.
The two sisters shared an extraordinary bond, and supported each other in the duties that came with motherhood and raising boys.
For Marlene, her only son, Wandre’s entry into the construction industry following in the footsteps of her brother-inlaw, Andre Snr - was a great source of pride for her.
Even though she would never seek the limelight at any function, you knew she was there.
She had such pride for her job as a hospital administrator and would never miss a day unless she was severely ill or she could not physically perform her duties.
Her work crew felt her absence after she was admitted to hospital for what was later confirmed as her final days fighting cancer.
Ironically, Marlene spent most of her free time raising awareness and money for the fight against cancer, working with the CANSA organisation.