On Friday 4 September, close family and friends gathered at the Bayswater Village to celebrate the 100th birthday of Gloria Stocks, ahead of the big day on Sunday 6 September.

Having lived in Bloemfontein for the past 62 years and in Bayswater Village since 2010, the celebration took place in the retirement community’s hall.

Gloria was born in Pietermaritzburg. She had an older brother, Ray Wilson, who decided to emigrate to the United Kingdom (UK) after the Second World War reached its conclusion. Ray then moved and worked in America and Canada.

During her school years, Gloria attended the Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School where she matriculated. She was a keen sportswoman at school playing tennis, badminton, hockey and after school golf.  

After school, she took cour-ses in short hand and typing, and became a legal secretary at Lesley Smiths, a firm of attorneys.

During this stage, she met Mervyn Stocks in Pietermaritzburg in 1948. The two got married in 1952.

The couple moved between Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town for many years. Their sons, Michael and Barry, were born in Cape Town in 1954 and 1958.

Michael grew up to marry Dalene (nèè Border). This union resulted in daugters Caren and Lee-Ann, and son Marc. Michael and Dalene now have seven grandchildren. Michael resides in Pretoria and his kids in Australia.

Barry married Verle (nèè Usher), and the two then added daughter Tayla and son Dalton to their family. Barry resides in Pretoria and one child resides in Amsterdam and the other in Pretoria.

Gloria and Mervyn moved to Bloemfontein in 1964, after which Mervyn became the Master of the Supreme Court. The couple lived in Dan Pienaar for many years.

Barry says his mom was involved in the women’s agricultural union and other charity organisasions. “She and her friends had a weekly gym class at the Red Cross Hall where they not only got their share of exercise, but also very important ‘chin wagging’ or chatting.”

Mervyn died in April 2016 at the ripe age of 93 years.

Barry says his mom always had a great love for dogs and horses. “In her early years she wanted to be a vet, but she always said she would have become too involved with the animals.” At the party on Friday, Natalie Kotzé of New Beginnings brought some of their dogs to add to the cheer.