GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Graaff-Reinet has this past two weeks mourned the loss of well-known and respected resident Albé Neethling, who has died aged almost 62.
Albé passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 27.
As Albé was very highly regarded it came as a massive shock to all who knew her on hearing about the tragedy.
Albé grew up in the Eastern Free State. She attended Harrismith High School where she met her husband Piet. They moved from De Aar to Graaff-Reinet in 2000.
Albé then spent the rest of her life in Graaff-Reinet, happily married to her husband Piet, playing an enormous part in the local community of Graaff-Reinet.
Albé will be remembered by all who knew her as a woman's whose generosity knew no limits, nothing was ever too big an obstacle for her to overcome and as her family so aptly described Albé, "the only thing bigger than her smile, was her heart".
Apart from her involvement in the community, Albé's love for the Karoo and her her special knowledge and experience of game meat - which was summarized in the best-selling recipe book 'Karoo Venison' which she wrote with her close friends Lynne Minnaar and Annatjie Reynolds - is well known among all in Graaff-Reinet.
At the time of her death, Albé was raising funds for Huis van de Graaff, a local home for the aged. The project saw Albé promote a lucky draw where the prize up for grabs was a blanket lovingly handcrafted by Albé and some of her friends.
This item was given to her children to remember their mother by, but Albe's quilting friends from Pretoria who were involved in the project has created another blanket, similar to the one given to Albé's family, which will still be presented to a lucky recipient once the draw takes places later this year. Those who would like to show their support to this initiative can buy a ticket from either Our Yard, Pick n Pay, Madelein Boucher or Jackie Bezuidenhout at the Loop Wool Boutique in Graaff-Reinet.
Albé's funeral, attended by around hundreds of people, was held at the Methodist Church last Friday. Albé leaves her husband Piet, daughters Mia, Sonja and Meanca and sons Charles, and Eric.
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