Remembering Leolynn Smith

Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS AND VIDEO - Friends and relatives of Graaff-Reinet resident Leolynn Smith who tragically lost her life at the age of 33 in a car accident on Tuesday, 13 February, mourned her death at a memorial service last week.

Leolynn, known lovingly as Olin, was a vivacious individual with a personality larger than life.

She adored her family and found great fulfilment in her work.

The words that flew from her pen so fluidly were fuelled by the most vivid imagination keenly cultivated as a child when she lived her life vicariously through many characters selected from books and 1980’s television.

The most memorable of all of these characters was a certain Tessie van Kappertjie Crèche. She took to the Tessie persona like a duck to water. She became known as Tessie in the Smith household and remained Tessie to her mom, Elsie, for many many years well into her twenties, to the intense amusement of a large circle of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Grandchild of the patriarch Isak Kayster, Olin belonged to an extended family, whom she entertained with charm and charisma and a wicked sense of humour.

She would often talk to unknown entities stashed away in her handbag whilst riding a full elevator: “don’t worry, I’ll feed you now! Shuut! Keep quiet…, Stop it now!” and scared people out of their faculties to the amusement of a cousin or two who invariably accompanied her on excursions. That was how she was: she challenged all those introverted individuals and reserved matrons. No one could force her to be square!

She called her older sister, Llyrris, Sussie. In Sussie Olin and brother, Donny, found a confidante and best friend. The siblings, although they led separate lives, did many things together and would often pose for selfies initiated by Olin. In Durban, on the beach, with their parents, with her son Courtnam and with other family: selfies for every conceivable event and occasion.

They all shared a close bond, despite Llyrris often grumbling about Olin’s unfinished mug of coffee left deserted on the dressing table each morning.

Olin‘s car also found a place in her father’s extensive collection of cars. Her father, JJ, loved repairing cars and as the siblings acquired vehicles, as they grew older, JJ had nine vehicles parked in his yard at one stage, including a caravan and trailer.

For a long time the gold Volkswagen Golf was synonymous with Olin and was often seen zipping around town, from Union Prep School to Dahlia Street and back to the Municipal offices. We would often lift our hands in greeting, not seeing the girl behind the wheel but recognizing the car as Olin’s.

Her thoughts progressed so swiftly that words sometimes struggled to pass her lips. When they did, it was such a chaotic eruption that only those closest to her could understand. Someone said the other day that it took her three months to realise that Olin thought faster than she could speak. She was dear to her family and dear to her friends.

Travelling by train back from a job search in Cape Town a few years ago, her cousin insisted that they find seats in the first class compartment well aware that they only had third class tickets. They ended up being ‘arrested’ and locked-up in a dark room where Olin became panic-stricken. Olin subsequently meekly paid all of their fines, totalling R120. She was big-hearted in that way.

She never got involved in cousin squabbles. And she never chose sides. She did not carry resentment in her heart and hate had no place in her life. She touched all of our lives in various ways. She had the utmost respect for the older generation and her aunts and uncles had a special place in her heart.

She danced. She danced everywhere, even in the aisles of Spar! Her son found her dance moves hilarious and would often join in the fun. He misses his Ouwa, their wild uninhibited dancing and his yearly birthday trip to Port Elizabeth. He had a most unconventional, and very special, mom.

She surely was bulletproof because she had nothing to lose, she fired away, fired away. You shoot her down, but she won’t fall, she was titanium...

The Smith family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all relatives, friends, colleagues of Leolynn and the Graaff-Reinet community for their love and support during this trying time.

Watch a video below.