We attended the funeral of our neighbour, Willoughby Edwards Lord (96) this past week. He was our closest neighbour for 30 years and then moved to the Elizabeth Jordaan Home in Cradock when his wife became desperately ill.
But, I want to tell you about Willoughby, the neighbour, the gentleman, the farmer, the storyteller, the writer, the historian, the nature lover, and the family man.
He was the neighbour who immediately reacted in March 1988 on my two-way radio panic call - the Vlekpoort River was in full force and was overflowing and nearing our house. My husband, Roelf, was on the other side of the Vlekpoort, Willoughby went on the far back roads, travelled on muddy 'veld spoors' and picked up a cold, freezing Roelf and brought him safely home.
Willoughby and his wife Shirley, had five children, but their house was always open for everyone of us to just drop in. I still clearly remember how Shirley would ask me to collect a parcel from her, to take to town, and upon my arrival to collect, I was invited to breakfast - fruit cocktail with yogurt, porridges to pick and choose, scrambled, or fried eggs, sometimes pouched eggs, bacon, sausages, mince, bake beans and tomato and onion stew, white or brown toast, or muffins and scones. This was the kind of meals she always prepared for her family, and all were welcome to just drop in!
Serving as the secretary of Doornhoek Farmer's Association for 28 years, I caught a glimpse of another side of dear Willoughby. He would arrive in time for meetings, find a cosy chair, and fall asleep. He slept soundly right through the meetings, totally relaxed. And when everybody was ready to pack up and go, he would wake up, get up, and start with his own agenda!
He often re-discussed everything that was already said, but nobody dared to silence him, as he was the senior present in the meetings, with one or two others, who followed suit.
Around 120 guests attended the funeral in the gardens of Alicedale, the farm where he was born. Surrounded by Willoughby's legacy, Archbishop Joshua Koening led the service.
His book, Karoo Memoirs, is a true reflection of the man that he was. We will miss his presence.
Willoughby Lord's life of 96 blessed years, was celebrated at Alicedale, the farm where he was born and raised.
