MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – One of the regions most loved and respected residents, Mrs Emmie Bannatyne, passed away at the age of 76 on January 15 after a short illness.

Emmie Bannatyne (née Geldenhuys) was born in Louis Trichardt on August 29, 1927, at the old maternity ward in Krogh Street. After completing her schooling here, she furthered her studies at the then "Normaal Kollege" in Pretoria.

Emmie met her husband, Ninian, during the Second World War. The couple got married after the war in 1948, and were blessed with three children, Ian, Laurie and Nelia. They first settled in Louis Trichardt, but later moved to the farm Ninlo, where both lived until their deaths. Ninian passed away on December 28, 1994.

Both Emmie and Ninian were well known in local business circles. The couple, amongst others, used to own Economic Cash Store, which they bought in 1956. They were also both actively involved in the community, with Ninian joining the Rotary Club in the early sixties. He also acted as president of the local Rotarians between 1968 and 1969.

It was through Ninian's involvement as Rotarian that Emmie also got actively involved in community service. She will best be remembered for her help in identifying en distributing food parcels to needy people over the Christmas season, a task she handled for many years for the Rotary Club. At present, the third generation of Bannatynes is involved with the local Rotary Club.

Emmie passed away at the Soutpansberg MediClinic. Her three children, Ian and Laurie from Louis Trichardt and daughter Nelia from Empangeni, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, survive her. Her funeral service was conducted at the Methodist Church on Monday, after which she was buried at the family graveyard at the Albasinidam.