Pauline YODAIKEN was born in Zagare, Lithuania in 1886. She lived in Dublin Ireland, with her Mother Bassa Lapedus YODAIKEN, and her father Avraham Menachem Mendel YODAIKEN and her five siblings, Sam, Joe, Myer, Rosie and Maurice YODAIKEN.
 
Paulina's daughter in law, Maida Hassall SAKINOFSKY told me that she was a lovely person and a wonderful nature. In 1942 she lived with Maida in Worcester, S.Africa along with Maida's sister in law Cecile SAKINOFSKY LEEMAN.
 
Louis (Lozer) SAKINOFSKY (a cousin of Paulina's and later to become her husband) was born in 1872 in SAKINOWA, Lithuania and came to South Africa with his brother Morris, and his three sisters. On arrival in Cape Town they were asked their name and they gave the name of the shtetle they came from and this became their surname. Nobody can say with certainty if this is myth or fact.
 
Louis and his brother Morris SAKINOFSKY had a shop in Plein Street, Cape Town called "Embroidery Laces". They sold Panama Hats. Louis was the buyer and went by ship to Ireland to buy some laces.
 
It was there, in Dublin, Ireland, that he met Paulina YODAIKEN and decided to make her his wife. He saved up for her passage over, and she set sail for S.Africa from Ireland, going to England from where the boat left for Cape Town.
 
But the depression came and they lost money and Louis met a Mr. SAMUELS (Maternal Grandfather of Sam YODAIKEN) who had a shop in Worcester (a town about 30 mns from the center of Cape Town) and he offered Louis this shop. The back of the shop was the house where Louis was to later live with Paulina, and the front was the shop.
 
Louis and Paulina lived in a house 77, High Street, Worcester. They turned part of the house into a store and sold Material, and "everything" except food. Louis owned the shop and his son Robert worked in the shop with him, from the time he was 16 years of age. When Louis died, Robert took over this business and it became ROBERT'S STORE in Worcester, Cape.
 
In 1922, Paulina's sister, Rosie Yodaiken LAPEDUS, came out from Dublin, Ireland, with her 3 sons, Lionel, Bethel and Stanley, for a year's holiday in Cape Town. Stanley later called his daughter, Anne Pauline, after his Aunt Paulina.
 
Paulina Yodaiken SAKINOFSKY passed away on the 14 May 1943 in Worcester, Cape Province, S.Africa.

 
Worcester is a small friendly city/town, in the Boland (Cape Province) area of the Cape, surrounded by mountains, very beautiful, and there were grape vines and wonderful flora and fauna.
 
Maida spent most of her married life there and her sons grew up in a relaxed and friendly environment. It was a town with a very small Jewish community, maybe between 35 to 50 families at the most, but it had a Shul and a Rabbi. (Jewish Clergy).
 
There was also a Dutch Church and a German Church in Worcester.
 
Some of the family names Maida can remember are LANGE; there were three Lange brothers, John (Butcher) Jack (Dentist) and Louis, the first person to ever bring Coca Cola into Worcester. There was a Rabbi Kahn, and a Wolfie HELLER and his family, the WURWANS, RABINOWITZ, ABROMOVITZs, SANDLER (shoe shop), Minnie BROWN , Dr. Isaac SAGOR, Joe HERMAN and his mother Dinah HERMAN, Barney GREEN, Robert SAKINOFSKY , Eli ABRAMS, KASSEL family, Sam MERSO, Julian JAFFE and his brother.
 
The Jewish community in Worcester was small, but friendly and everyone knew everyone else, they were like one big happy family.
 
There was a Shul (Synagogue) in Worcester and the Rabbi and his family lived next door. Eventually when all the people left, they gave all the shul artefacts to the Milnerton Shul in Cape town. Services were then held in private homes.
 
There was also a Bnei Brith (Jewish Movement) in Worcester of which Maida's husband, Robert SAKINOFSKY was a part.

 
Jaffe, Ruby Lipshitz, Woik, B. Broudie, Uncle Joe Rabinowitz, Barney Green, Robert Sakinofsky, Eli Abrams, Kassel, Sam Merso, Julian Jaffe and his brother.
 
Maida belonged to the Union of Jewish Women, Worcester Branch and in 1951 Maida brought out a wonderful cookery book selling for 5/- to raise money for charity and she rejuvenated it for Shawco, University of Cape Town, and called it the Cookery Digest.
 
She sent a copy to her husband's Aunt, Rosie Yodaiken Lapedus, in Dublin, and in the inscription, she wrote "To Dear Auntie Rosie, with Love, Maida 5th Oct 1951". (My Mother still has this book, and still uses it! Albeit it is falling to bits).
 
Maida and Robert lived at 67, Meiring Street, Worcester, Cape Province.
 
Maida and Robert's 3 sons, Allan, Paul and Martin all went to the Worcester boys' school. There was a "bioscope" (cinema) called "The Scala"
 
Today, no Jews live in Worcester but there was one last remaining Jewish person there, a Mrs. Joyce "Joey" LANGE who now lives in Cape Town. Joey was married to Louis LANGE and they had 3 daughters – Marion, Daphne and Renaye, all of whom live in Cape Town today. Renaye, the youngest, married the very well-known musician, David KRAMER, from Cape Town. Their daughter, Amy KRAMER is living in Ireland at the moment.

 
When I was about 8 years of age, a parcel came from South Africa to Dublin, to our house, and in this parcel were dolls' knitted dresses, skirts, machine made jackets in tartan, and little knitted doll's caps. I still have them 54 years later!!!
 
Maida Sakinofsky has a heart bigger than herself. When we came to s.Africa, Maida was standing at the station in Worcester and as our train pulled into Worcester station ,there was Maida, standing on the platform, with a tray of food, which she handed us through the window.

 
How proud we are, this year Roberts stores celebrates its DIAMOND anniversary. 60 years of service to the people of Worcester and surrounding districts, 60 yeas in which we have always endeavoured to offer "dependable goods" "Utmost Value" and "friendly Service".
 
These years have meant much to us at Roberts stores, we are proud of them, above all we are proud of the friends we have made amongst our customers whose faith and confidence in us have enabled us to grow, and among our suppliers whose products have graced our store, without their support, without yours, we would not be celebrating this 60th anniversary. It is with pride and yet with humbleness that we offer you the goods and service you have grown to expect from us.
 
The man was stockily built and sported a moustache when he landed in S.A. from "over the water" by ship before the first World War. He came as thousands of his fellowmen did to seek a better future and peace. He was Louis (Loser) Sakinofsky.
 
He started a business in Plein Street, C.Town, called "Embroidery and Laces" together with his brother Maurice.
 
Whilst on one of his buying rips to Dublin Ireland, by ship, he met up with a cousin, Paulina Yodaiken, and they fell in love but it was 14 years before she was able to come to SA to be with her fiancée. When she arrived in CT, Louis did not have the necessary monies, namely £10.0.0, to get her off the ship for the moment, so she appealed to Mr. Jagger, one of the the foremost wholesalers of that era, to stand security for him. Mr. Jagger kindly wrote the letter and Paulina and Louis were reunited at long last.
 
They got married in 1906. – 3 children, Robert, b. 1910 C.Town, then Jeanette and Cecille.
 
When Robert was about 14 years of age, came the depression and the family had no alternative but to sell all their possessions , stayed with relatives for a while.
 
Then moved on to Tousriver for a few months where they barely made a living, then thankfully opportunity flew in and Worcester beckoned and the family settled in this lovely Boland town.
 
The shop which is Robert's Stores was proudly named by Louis, after his son.
 
Yesteryear shops kept open until 11.00 pm. Men's clothing was sold, shirts 3/11, khaki shorts 5/11 and crockery, best China 3d a cup and 3d a saucer. Judge brand saucepans varying in sizes 4/11 and 5/11. Horrockes flannelette 1/6 yd and crepe material 3d per yd.
 
The shop was a house owned by Mr. Home and later converted into a shop. The family shared the shop. As folk were wanted to do those years. The shop in the front of the building and the living quarters at the rear.
 
Paulina Sakinofsky (Mother) would chat to customers, serve coffee and cookies/biscuits and when the children were accompanied by the parents, it was to Robert's or his sisters' greatest delight to amuse them whilst their mothers viewed the goods.
 
Louis was one of the few of his kind who could take piece of cloth in his hand and was able to tell how many strands of thread to an inch (2½cm) without using a magnifying glass. Louis and his son were always honest and meticulous in all ways: To be a Sakinofsky is to be Honest, was their motto and ours too, of course.
 
Some years later Robert had occasion to visit relatives in Johannesburg and was introduced to a young lady. He was smitten, and proposed after only knowing her for 3 days!
 
But she was a rather active person and had no desire to leave the close family next. She worked as a Manageress in one of her father's many dress stores. She took part in the Emergency Nurses Services affiliated to the army and had produced a variety concert called "Maida Hassall's co-optimists" which required rehearsals and going out to various camps, Sonderwater – Tank Corps, etc. along the Reef. Also performing at army hospitals.
 
Robert was not accepted by the army so he joined the National Reserve Volunteers in Worcester along with Sergeant Major Alec (Sonny) Lambert, Alex de Villiers, Nico Swart, Mr. Hudson, Dr. Dicey snr. and so many others – too numerous to mention.
 
However the young Robert was very persistent, determined and after many beautifully written letters (his handwriting was second to none, clear and concise) he won and Maida came to Worcester as Mrs. Sakinofsky Jnr. In the meantime, father Louis had passed on and the reins of Robert's Stores were in the hands of Robert, the son.
 
Mother-in-law, Paulina, and sister-in-law, Cecille came to live with Robert and Maida in their home in 67, Meiring Street, how good to have them with us, they were such loveable people , and because Maida was 1,000 miles away from her beloved family and to be together with Robert's family was ideal.
 
Three months later, Paulina took ill and passed away. Robert went on gamely, trying to modernise the stores by dispensing with the mens' department and putting in a whole new concept for lingerie, and the crockery went out.
 
Robert was still of the old stock, very conservative in many of his ways, white shirt and a jacket, he was interested in all akin to nature, also again could stay for hours at the airport watching planes take off and land. His interest in all things mechanised was abounding. He'd spend time at the railway station chatting to all and sundry knew which train was coming in and at what hour and so on.
 
The staff of years ago remained with Roberts' stores for many years, only perhaps leaving to get married and are still in touch with us. Divvy (Mrs. Van der Vyver), Baba Senekal, Julia Volschenk, Miss Truter, Miss Marais, Betty van Blommenstein, Stineie Hancke, Bettie Steenkamp, Susie Erasmus, Dot Lambert and the staff of today, loyal and loving, so like the family, close, they are Ria Visser, Susie Nefdt and Joyce Brider.
 
In Dec 1944 their eldest son Allan was born – today he is a qualified pharmacist – married to Loraine Glasser and has three lovely children; Lisa, Sean & Grant. He won his Cricket Blues at the Army Gymnasium, he was Lion of the Year at Mowbray at one time. He is also a keen golfer.
 
Almost 3 years later Paul arrived on the scene – he was a doctor and a qualified anaesthetist. He married Sonia Herling and they have two sons, Gavin, Mark and Steven Robert. He was an enthusiastic waterpolo player and played squash. Paul and his family settled in Australia in 1977. Paul passed away in July 1988 after 2 years of suffering with Cancer.
 
Between the years Robert and Madia had another son, but he passed away at the age of 4 years. How blessed they were when another son, Martin, joined the two older brothers in 1958. He plays squash and enjoys flying and yachting. He married Janice Freedman in 1985 and they have two children, Nicole and Ryan.
 
In 1963 Robert suffered a coronary but thankfully recovered and learned to take life at a slower rate. He loved Worcester and would often stand outside the shop marvelling at the mountains in all seasons – the snow in Winter their ever-changing colours – the grapevines.
 
He was a loveable character when people really got to know him. He appreciated a good joke and his laughter was strong and hearty. As one dear customer said when she heard of Robert's passing "But Robert was Worcester – his cheerful countenance – always a wave of the hand, always helping someone, always a friend" he was a founder member of the Chamber of Commerce. – Chairman Retailers section – Worcester agricultural Society Executive member of Chamber of Commerce. Golf, Bowls, hiking etc. He was in the SA book of "Who is Who"
 
Robert always kept sweets in the office, he'd find such pleasure in giving the littlest ones "sweetness" and seeing how they'd react to "Grandpa's Sweeties". Robert was known to say "we're rich in each other, wealthy in our children, we've a roof over our heads, food in the house, some for those who need, what more do we need"?
 
Robert was not only a friend to those who valued his friendship but was a wonderful husband, a father and grandfather. There was this special bond between father, wife and sons.
 
In 1951 I (Maida) compiled and edited a cookery book for charity and in 1976 rejuventated the book for Shawco, University of Cape Town, called the Cookery Digest. I too love Robert's Stores, Worcester and it's people are beautiful, and I hope we will all go a long way together doing all the good things as in the past, for today is the beginning of the Future.
 
We sold the store in 1989 and I retired. The house where we had lived for 49 years was sold and I (Maida) came to live in the city to be closer to my son Allan and family, also closer to the relatives. Living in the country is quite different to the city, but comes a time in one's life when one has to make a change! So be it.
 
A new life and a new beginning.
 
Maida Sakinofsky.
 
Today Maida lives in Johannesburg.