Meet Win Moser

It is surely one of life’s pleasures to forget about the hustle and bustle world we live in and take time to sit, listen and chat to someone who says something many of us tend to forget. To hear a person say, “I have had a wonderful life,” makes you realise how busy, stressful and fast today’s world really is.

Tucked away in the assisted living section of Le Domaine Care is Win Moser who celebrated her 98th birthday in December last year. She is a cheerful lady, always ready with a hearty hello and a smile which has endeared her to many fellow residents. She has been in the care centre for nine years, where she has made many friends and still enjoys her days.

Although her eyesight is not great, Win is always keen to welcome people and sit on her veranda which looks into her small garden, where she will happily chat away and recall some of the many stories from her interesting life. “I can’t remember too many things these days but what I can recall will hopefully create a picture of what I am all about,” she said.

Win was born in Surrey, England, and moved to India with her parents, her father setting up one of the first transport companies in the country, establishing a public bus transport system that still runs today.  She met John Cleveland in India and the couple were married in 1941. It was tough times as John went off to serve, being involved in Dunkirk and the Burma campaign. His health took some big knocks, none more serious than tuberculosis, which saw him sent to Wentworth Hospital in Durban, the closest remedial centre for British soldiers. He was transferred to a hospital in Johannesburg, Win coming from India to meet up with him again.

“People around me were not happy I went to South Africa. They kept saying to me that I would not like it and that the people were not very nice,” said Win. “But I found it different and the people were more than friendly, helpful and caring. I loved it.”

John never quite recovered, having a collapsed lung and he died in 1952. However, despite a rather short marriage, John and Win had two sons, Barry and Graham and while in India, as part of the ex-pat community, she enjoyed a life that is only read about in books these days.

“It was a wonderful time. I played golf, polo and tennis and our family were personal friends of the Maharajah and Maharani. I used to ride their horses and I can remember many splendid occasions and events spent in their company with all the pomp and show,” said Win.

Left with two young boys after John’s death, Win met Felix through some friends, the Zimmermans, who had a farm in Cato Ridge. “It was love at first sight and we were soon married. He became a father to Barry and Graham and we were married for about 45 years before he died,” said Win. “He was Swiss and also suffered from TB. He was helping on the Zimmerman’s farm and working in Pietermaritzburg when I met him.”

Felix became engineer for Clairwood Turf Club where he set up the first computerized betting system, going to Australia to study the equipment. Win stayed in South Africa during that time but had fond memories of many travels with Felix. “We went overseas often, going to Felix’s family in Switzerland, plus we visited France, the UK and the Scandinavian countries,” she said. “Despite having an older sister in America, we never visited there.”

Win worked as a dental nurse for a brief period and before living in India, was a keen dress designer. “I sent some designs to one of the more affluent fashion establishments in London and was actually called in for a chat. They advised me to continue what I was doing but then we left for India and that was the end of that,” said Win.

“We went overseas often, going to Felix’s family in Switzerland, plus we visited France, the UK and the Scandinavian countries,” she said. “Despite having an older sister in America, we never visited there.”

With a twinkle in her eye, Win says she is hoping to reach her 100th birthday as she is so keen for a telegram from the Queen. She is made from stern material, recovering from many health knocks through her life, but she marches on. She loves being outside, often found sitting on the main veranda of the care centre, but most importantly, she has a mind full of incredible memories, even if they are a little out of chronological order.

Family photos are scattered around her room as she takes her comfort from knowing those she loved and loves are close to her and watching her.

As Graham said, “She is an incredibly tough woman and the true matriarch of our family. She is loved dearly by many, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. If she reaches 100, the Queen better not forget otherwise she will remind her.”