MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The death on 10 May of Blumé Myerson, the beloved mother of Bryna Zasman, Gail Myerson and Marc Myerson; mother-in-law to Neil Zasman; Gagga/grandmother of Justin, Remi, Grant and Tanna; sister to Barry Levin; aunt, and friend to many and former mayoress of Mossel Bay, has ended a grand era in this coastal town.
Her children and residents remember the glory days and tell how Blumé, 84, and her husband Natie generously served the community.
Blumé Myerson has left an indelible mark on Mossel Bay and her loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew her.
The gentle, modest Blumé was born in Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape, and lived in Mossel Bay with her parents, hoteliers who owned the Grand Hotel. She was a gifted ballet dancer who left CAPAB to settle in Mossel Bay with her husband Natie, an architect. Blume opened a dance school, where she taught ballet for many years.
Speaking from Blumé's beautiful home behind the yacht club and overlooking the port and Santos Beach, her three children remember her as someone who was unstinting in her generosity. "My mother was humble, always graciously unassuming. My lasting memory of her is how patient and utterly loving she was especially towards us, right until the end," said Bryna. Blumé and her husband Natie were founding members of the yacht club.
"My mom was always working, helping my father in his business and, as a result, very involved in the community," said Gail. Gail remembers how her mother built friendships with people from all walks of life.
Marc said, "Our parents were the mayoral couple of Mossel Bay during which time they worked closely with the community. My parents played an integral part in the fabric of Mossel Bay during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. They believed that everybody should be treated equally."
The Myersons are remembered as good, hardworking people, sout van die aarde, giving generously and privately.
"They weren't interested in people knowing about what they did and how much they gave. Our mom was the most selfless person, who never put herself first," said Gail.
Until her sudden illness, Blumé was in excellent health. She was grateful, fun, full of energy and four months prior to her death she enjoyed her weekly pilates classes.
Bryna said, "The teacher often pointed my mother out as an example to the class as she was so fit and strong."
Marc enthused: "She went paragliding with me in San Diego, aged 80." He added that Blumé was cruising on the back of a motorcycle in Greece with one of her grandsons at the age of 83.
"She truly lived life to the full."
Even in her final days in hospital, Blumé was "brave and selfless, worrying about the patients around her", Bryna said.
All three Myerson siblings say it was a privilege to be with their mother all the way to the end. "We had time to say what we wanted to say, to say goodbye," said Marc.
According to the Jewish tradition that Blumé so proudly lived by and upheld, she was buried on Sunday, 12 May (Mother's Day) in the Jewish cemetery in Oudtshoorn, next to Natie.
She will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her.
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