Ouma Malan

I began typing an email to my immediate family this morning and realised that there are so many other friends and more distant family who know us that might like to 'be in the know', so I thought I would do a quick blogpost.

This morning, at 4:30am, our Ouma Malan passed away.

Ouma Malan is Dieter's maternal grandmother, and was his last living grandparent. She was great-grandmother to our four children, who have loved getting to know her a little better in the last year that we've been back in SA. She has been fairly healthy and of sound mind and enjoyed a good, quiet life until very recently. About 2 months ago she developed a chest/lung infection and was eventually hospitalised so they could monitor the fluid build-up in her lungs and treat the infection. It was discovered that her heart was also severely deteriorated and only functioning at about a third of what it should.

She recovered nicely from the infection but needed a continuous supply of additional oxygen to help her breathe. About 2 weeks ago she was released from hospital to the Sick Bay at the retirement village where she has lived for the past 14 years or so and they have tried to keep her as comfortable as possible.

We're very sad that she is no longer with us but delighted that she has gone to be with Jesus for eternity. No more pain, no more sickness, no more tears ...... just an eternity spent worshipping the saviour she deeply loved.

Goodbye Ouma Malan.

Our last family photo with Ouma Malan (seated) in December last year.