Thanks to a generous donation from the estate of Rosi von Aulock, we were able to purchase an emergency power system
a few years ago and improve the church’s audiovisual system. Among other things, the amplification system was relocated to the room above the sacristy, from which the live transmission of our church services also takes place. To thank and remember Rosi von Aulock, the Church Committee wanted to hang a plaque in the church centre and chose the wall next to the entrance to the technical room for this.
Who was Rosi von Aulock?
Many members will remember Rosi, an energetic helper in many areas of our congregation’s life. Her generous, cheerful and hard-working nature could be felt everywhere. Her flower decorations in the church were particularly special, especially at Palm Sunday and Harvest Festival. She actively participated in the bazaar and sang in the church choir.
Rosi (Rosmarie Melanie Sybille Helene) von Poncet was born on 28 September 1926 in East Germany on the family estate and died on 7 September 2019 in Stellenbosch after a long and eventful life of almost 93 years. In February 1945, when she was just 18 years old, the family had to leave the estate and Rosi travelled 800 km over six weeks by horse to the West.
In 1951, Rose and her sister Haidi emigrated to South Africa, and it was here that she married Friedrich-Karl von Aulock (3 July 1918-26 April 1988). Their three children were born here after they moved to the Cape in 1958 and bought their own farm in Breede River Valley which they managed under difficult circumstances. From 1964 Rosi worked alone on the farm while her husband found work in the city. Rosi was an incredibly hard-working woman who did all the work on the fruit and vegetable farm on her own. Work was a very important part of her life, and work made her life meaningful.
Around 1980, the farm was sold and the family moved to Nederburg Avenue in Stellenbosch. Her husband died of cancer in 1988. Alone, Rosi worked hard in the house and in her large, beautiful garden, and during the winter she pruned the roses, vines and fruit trees in many gardens.
At 82, she gave up her house and moved to Azaleahof, her last home. Despite the adjustment, she never complained and always told her children how beautiful the world was, even though she had left her three paradises (country estate, farm, house with large garden). Everywhere her door was open to young and old, friends, family and visitors. She had an open heart, and with her cheerful and positive manner she did much good.
Klaus-Gerd von Pressentin & Sietske Rubow
