Noleen Ririe moved to Bloemfontein after 58 years in Welkom

After 58 years of calling Welkom home, well-known Noleen Ririe recently moved to Bloemfontein to be closer to her my family, son Dean, his wife Natasha, and their daughters, Tayler and Tamryn. Dean has moved his business, Circle Tooling, to Bloemfontein.

“Relocating after so many years is an adjustment, but I know it is the right choice for this stage in my life. I have always believed that ‘If something is going to be, it is up to me. If it makes you happy, you are the one to make it happen.’ That has been my guiding mantra for as long as I can remember.”

Born in Roodepoort, Noleen moved to Welkom at age 10 when her father was employed at HL&H Timber in 1959. After finishing high school at Notre Dame Convent in Kroonstad, she later met her late husband, Billy, in Johannesburg.

“We moved to Welkom when he was appointed as regional manager at HL&H Timber. Our son, Dean, was born in 1977, and Welkom was the perfect place to raise him. The Goldfields community is exceptional, and the people will be hard to replace.”

Noleen was deeply involved in community outreach and animal welfare. She served, among others, as chairlady of the Goldsec organization for women, “a group that was very dear to my heart. My passion for community involvement comes from the belief that being active in your community is what truly connects you to the place you call home. I have always lived by that principle.”

Professionally, she worked in various fields, from modelling to managing her own salon, Shirl’s Scissors, “where I spent 20 wonderful years.” She also worked at Max Prop Real Estate. Noleen holds provincial colours in bowls, although these days she prefers to play socially.
(By Petra de Blom)