TRIBUTE
Yvonne is crowned Azalea Queen in Pietermaritzburg at age 19
When the race first started , she would spend evenings writing out certificates , as each finisher received a personalised handwritten certificate in those years . Then on race day she would help as well , and she was part of the Midmar Mile every year , and she will remain part of it as a thread in its history as the largest open water swimming event in the world . she remained dear friends with her wonderful Comrades colleagues for her entire life .
Yvonne passed away at home in Howick ,
aged 87 , still holding hands with her beloved Buthy and sealing their 70-year union . She was kind , engaging , funny and loving , and she is sadly missed .
Yvonne and Buthy at the World Masters Champs in the UK
Although Yvonne was not a competitive swimmer herself , her contribution in support to the swimming community was one of her quiet but greatest accomplishments . She was part of the Seals Swimming Club family for nearly 70 years , always involved behind the scenes , and she later became involved with Masters Swimming as well , doing the timing at racing events . ( Yvonne also later took an aquatic aerobics course and became a certified instructor , working from the Seals Swimming Pool . She did this before it became fashionable , and once again , she was ahead of her time .)
An Overall Love of Sport
Meanwhile , Mum herself was a keen sportswoman , being notably excellent at squash . She played league squash for Natal and was involved with the Collegians Club team for many years . Added to that , she enjoyed social tennis , and played in many friendly games .
Buthy and Yvonne on their wedding day
She later started power walking , and she and Buthy were both part of Run / Walk for Life . That led to her completing the London Marathon , in difficult wet and cold conditions , to raise money for charity . She also competed at the Gateshead World Masters Walking Championships in the North of England , where both she and Buthy did well in their races , and she did the Coast to Coast Walk , crossing the breadth of England . She loved exploring South Africa ' s beautiful countryside , and her and Buthy did numerous Wild Coast Hikes together .
In addition to her own active involvement in the sport of athletics , Yvonne worked for many years for the Comrades Marathon . She helped start the Comrades Shop , which really helped grow the brand and merchandise for the race , and
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