Page 167 - Bulletin 13 2009

164

At Schoonzicht things had become more difficult since the death of Cato in 1989. Although
they had fought at times, as she liked to totally control him, she did “mommy” him and

ensure he was able to lead a free and easy bachelor life. Now he was on his own.

One of his last projects was a collaboration with the artist and sculptor Jean Doyle to

produce a cookbook – “Artists’ Palate”. As an historic listing of Who’s Who in the South
African art world at the time it is probably unparalleled. Eddie was to be responsible for its

marketing. However, before the book reached publication stage he suffered a serious stroke
in 1991. He was 75. Although the book was published he was too unwell and unable to

carry out his part of the arrangement and, unfortunately, it did not sell well.

Friends now rallied around and he tried to keep up appearances. But the fact was he needed

constant and expensive care. The wonderful family treasure trove of artworks and
mementos started to be sold off to pay his expenses. On his last birthday in March 1992 he

welcomed many well wishers from his bed – dressed, as the Cape Times noted, “in

shocking pink shirt with blue stripes, a red paisley-patterned cravat, and wearing
veldskoene with bright red socks”.

He was moved to St Luke’s Hospice shortly after this and died there on 26 October 1992.

The remaining contents of the house, lovingly gathered over the years by family members

and with deep associations – art, an extensive library of art books, furniture, Persian carpets

and family heirlooms – were auctioned off, and scattered, in December 1992. They raised
R80,000. A further auction of artworks and sculptures was held in January the following

year. The remainder were left to Wynberg Boys School. Eddie had left the house to UCT
but as they did not want to keep it they had it auctioned. Schoonzicht – the family home for

77 years – was bought by the Church of England for R235,000 and later re-sold.