The well-respected and much-loved Wellington author Winnie Rust was laid to rest last Thursday in the Dutch Reformed Church in Wellington.
Rust’s younger brother, Dr Chris van der Merwe, told journalists that the number of mourners who attended the service indicated how wide her circle of friends was and how many lives she had touched.
“Her life had so many facets – she was a wife, mother, grandmother, writer and leader in her community. In many ways, her life touched so many people.”
The 77-year-old was found dead in her Uitsig home two weeks ago. She had been tied up and allegedly strangled. Two men have been arrested in connection with her murder.
Winnie’s frail-looking husband, long-time Wellington medical doctor Dr Manie Rust, was supported by his children and grand-children.
In a written tribute to her mother, printed in the funeral pamphlet, Rust’s daughter Anna “Grietjie” Rust, said she was shattered by the manner in which her mother had died.
“I don’t just cry for you, but also for our country,” she wrote.
“From now on, all good moments will be tinged with sadness because I can’t share them with you. The tough times will be extra tough because you are gone, my pillar of strength.”
Eugenie Wiggens and Van der Merwe were the only speakers at the memorial service.
“Until and up to her death Winnie Rust helped to narrow the gap between different races and people from various backgrounds in Wellington,” said Wiggins, who was friends with Winnie for many years.
Wiggens said that the community was struggling to make sense of Winnie’s death.
“You had a heart for Wellington and all its people. You opened your hand and heart to the community.
“Few people could choose their words the way you did.”
