The Eastern Cape branch of the country's leading Alzheimer's support organisation lost one of its key members last week, just before the start of World Alzheimer's Month.
The Eastern Cape branch of the country's leading Alzheimer's support organisation lost one of its key members last week, just before the start of World Alzheimer's Month.
Alzheimer's South Africa is mourning the death of its Eastern Cape regional director Magriet Meintjes, who lived in Port Elizabeth.
The Grahamstown Alzheimer's support group falls under her care and group organiser Graham Kingma said she had been a driving force to help people suffering from dementia.
“She was extremely efficient and showed passion and compassion for the cause,” Kingma said. “She made sure she was there to help the relatives and carers of those living with Alzheimer's.”
Meintjies lost her three-year battle with breast cancer last Tuesday and will be sorely missed by her family and those whom she strove to help.
“Magriet was an absolute asset to us,” said then chairperson of the Eastern Cape branch Miempie van Wyk. “She was an unbelievably organised person who managed our money well and established the strong grounding Alzheimer's Eastern Cape currently runs on. Hers are going to be big shoes to fill.”
Van Wyk has taken the position as regional director and the position of chairperson is now being advertised internally.
“Magriet was so organised she'd even started organising Alzheimer's Awareness Day (21 September) events for Port Elizabeth last November,” Van Wyk said.
The Grahamstown support group meets on the first Friday of every month at the public library from 2.45pm-3.45pm. The group is for caregivers, family members and people facing the challenges of the disease.
Kingma is a counselling psychologist and can be contacted at grahamkingma@yahoo.co.za for more information.
