The Katts and Smith families of Somerset West paid homage to four loved ones who died within 16 days of each other in July last year, by tapping into their love for knitting and lovingly crafting knee blankets for the elderly in the community.
The Katts family is one of the oldest families of Somerset West, their lineage reportedly dating back to 1792 as residents of Paardevlei and Melkbaai. Just over a year ago they and the Smiths bade farewell to siblings 71-year-old Sylvia Roberts (née Katts), 81-year-old Cynthia Smith (née Katts) and Simon “Sam” Katts (88) as well as their brother-in-law Edwin “Etta” Smith (84).
The siblings, offspring of John and Helen, all attended Somerset West Methodist Primary School before moving on to Gordon High School.
Cynthia, who died at Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital on 23 July 2021, was a teacher who had received her training at Hewat Training College in Athlone, Cape Town. She taught for nine years at St George’s Primary in Kuils River before moving on to Dr GJ Joubert Primary until her retirement in 1993. Cynthia was also active in the community, establishing a needlework group to empower women to be self-sufficient.
Also passionate about teaching, Sylvia worked at the Teddy Bear Crèche in Somerset West and later at a crèche in Macassar, where she impacted positively on many young lives. Both sisters played field hockey for Somerset West and Cynthia was the club chairperson for many years. Sylvia died in her sleep on 15 July 2021.
After school, Simon started working at the Post Office as a telegram boy and was promoted to postman. He also worked at Kohler as a technician and was an avid sportsman, playing cricket for All Saints Cricket Club, rugby for Hotspurs Rugby Club and darts for Alex Darts Club. Simon died at a hospital in Brackenfell on 24 July 2021.
Edwin, who died at Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital on 31 July 2021, attended St George’s Primary in Strand, where his father was a teacher, matriculated from Gordon High and continued his studies at UWC before taking up employment at the Department of Labour for nearly 30 years until his retirement in 1996. The talented cricketer was a member of All Saints CC and Helderberg CC, where he made a name as remarkable off-spinner. He was also an ace table-tennis player, who was once WP champion of the sport.
As all the Katts sisters and their mother loved to knit, the surviving family members took all the wool Cynthia had left behind and started knitting knee blankets.
“It was a labour of love,” a family spokesperson pointed out. “These blankets will be donated to the aged in the area in remembrance of them.”
