Sad Passing of uMngeni SPCA Volunteer.
Mary Bohmer
16 April 1930 – 30 March 2018
Mary Cade was born in 1930 on a remote, rural farm in Kenya – the eldest child and only girl, of 4 children. Life was financially tough for the family but was exciting and adventurous, as you can well imagine. Animals were always part of her life and she had numerous dogs and cats as pets, but also a horse, a bushbaby and even snakes.
Mary married Des Bohmer in 1950 and they had three children – Paul, Robert and Anne – who all now live overseas. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and mother-in-law and a true rock for her family.
Mary was a great talker, as those who knew her will know. Chatting was one of her hallmarks! But it enabled her to meet people and make new friends.
Mary liked everyone and never put anyone down, nor did she gossip – great traits we could all learn from. She was truly a salt of the earth person.
She was incredibly selfless and always ready to help others, no matter the task. Over the years, she spent many hours volunteering for the SPCA Op shops in Howick and Merrivale and had previously helped at Riding for the Disabled. So, if you would like to donate to the SPCA, in her honour, please do so. It would be much appreciated.
Mary was an interesting and interested person – someone who read lots and who was well informed on world events.
She was also adventurous and prepared to give most things a try. She would eat almost any food, could sleep anywhere, and always enjoyed going to new places. About the only thing that got her beat was the Karkloof zip-line that her grandchildren, Thomas and Emily, cajoled her into trying a couple of years ago!
In the last 5 years she took 3 trips to Australia and New Zealand, spent three summers in the UK with her daughter, did a road trip around Namibia and visited Cape Town.
Sadly, it was on her last trip to Hobart that she became unwell. In early March she had a small seizure, the first sign that she was suffering from multiple brain tumors. She declined rapidly, which, for her sake, was a blessing. But she never complained, except for feeling she was being a burden on her children looking after her.
On the 30 March, Good Friday, she passed away peacefully at her son’s home, surrounded by all her children and her youngest brother, Richard, who was visiting from Perth.
She will be sorely missed but never forgotten. May she rest in peace.