KNYSNA NEWS - The town's beloved matriarch, author, historian and well-known community figure, Margaret Parkes, has passed away at the age of 101.
Tributes have been pouring in since Parkes' passing on Friday evening, 18 September, remembering a woman whose lifelong contribution to Knysna's history, heritage and community will not be forgotten.
In a heartfelt tribute on its Facebook page, the Knysna and Districts Pipe Band wrote: "Rest in peace, Margaret Parkes. You were a matriarch to the Knysna and Districts Pipe Band, and your contribution towards the band's successes over the years will never be forgotten, along with your love for the pipes and drums."
The band extended its condolences to her sons, Jim and George, and the Parkes family.
The Knysna DA also paid tribute, describing Parkes as an iconic matriarch of Knysna, and recalling that it had recently celebrated her 100th birthday with her.
Parkes' remarkable contribution to documenting Knysna's past was well recorded. Born Margaret Fraser in 1925, she was the daughter of Scottish immigrants Donald John and Ellen Aitken Fraser. Her father owned Fraser's Royal Hotel opposite St George's Church. She grew up in Knysna, in a house on the site where the post office stands today. Educated in Knysna and Port Elizabeth, she matriculated at 16 and studied at Rhodes University. She later obtained a National Domestic Science Teacher's Certificate from Cape Technical College in 1947.
She married Bernard Parkes in 1952, and they had two sons, George and Jim. Bernard died while the couple were on holiday in Scotland in 1982. It was after his death that Parkes began writing. "I was on the founding committee of the local museum -
I was its curator - and you have to have something to do in life if you're on your own," she recalled.
Remembering a forgotten port
Together with writing partner Vicky Williams and other contributors, Parkes produced 13 books and numerous historical pamphlets. Among these was Memories of Knysna, which brought together recollections from 60 local contributors, followed by More Memories of Knysna. Her best-known work, Knysna: The Forgotten Port, published in 1988 as a limited edition of 500 copies, documented the town's maritime history. Her research covered subjects such as sawmilling, churches and the Anglo-Boer War, while she also documented the centenary of the Knysna Municipality in 1982.
A steadfast foundation
Parkes' contribution extended beyond writing. She was the first curator of the old Millwood Museum and wrote 65 issues of its newsletter. She also played important roles in the Friends of the Knysna Library, Knysna Yacht Club, St George's Church and TS Knysna Sea Cadets. The Sea Cadets recently recalled celebrating her 100th birthday, including the launch of the Margaret Parkes 3-in-1 whaler. Parkes requested no gifts and instead asked for donations to the Sea Cadets.
Friends of the Knysna Library
Parkes served as chairperson of the Friends of the Knysna Library for 25 years and was among the founders of the Friends of the Knysna Libraries. Her efforts helped establish a comprehensive collection of books by Knysna authors and a rare Africana collection.
Knysna Municipality said Parkes was instrumental in shaping the heritage of its library and played a pivotal role in establishing the museum. Among her honours were the Cape Tercentenary Foundation's Molteno Medal for Conservation in 2000, Simon van der Stel Foundation recognition, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship and a Sanlam Lifetime Achievement Award.
Her legacy, preserved in Knysna's books, archives and institutions, will continue to tell the story of a woman who devoted much of her life to preserving the town's history for future generations.
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