The Bonteheuwel community is mourning the death of beloved television cook Florence “Flori” Schrikker.
The 67-year-old was hospitalised nearly two months ago and suffered from numerous heart complications.
Aunty Flori, as she was affectionately known, was one half of the cooking show duo, Flori en Koelsoem se Kosse, along with her friend Koelsoem “Koelie” Kamalie who sadly, also passed away in April.
The pair rose to fame with the release their first cookbook in 2016, called Kook Saam Kaaps, and was a firm favourite in the Daily Voice’s recipe column, Cooksisters, where they shared old family favourites.
Aunty Flori leaves behind her four children and 10 grandchildren.
Her daughter Yolanda Peters, 47, says the cooking icon died at N1 City Netcare Hospital on Friday: “My mommy was admitted to hospital seven weeks ago, she was admitted due to low blood sugar levels and then they found a number of complications.
“They discovered that the three main arteries leading to her heart were blocked, she was scheduled for a triple bypass, but they only managed to do the two arteries and she grew weaker.
“They were going to insert a stent into her heart but her condition was worsening, she then picked up pneumonia and then her kidneys gave in.”
A hartseer Yolanda says her mom was known as Mother Teresa in Bontas: “She was a community person, she served everyone she met. We aren’t the only children who will miss her, her community children will surely miss her too. She embedded values into all of us which we will never forget.”
Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie says Flori’s passing is a huge shock to the community: “Aunty Flori was a Bonteheuwel stalwart and hero who will be sorely missed for her amazing heart, giving nature and amazing dishes she cooked.
Fellow Cape Flats cooks Fatima Sydow and sister Gadija says they will miss Flori.
Gadija says: “She was always willing to share her wisdom where cooking is concerned. She was like our mother figure on set while filming Kaap Kerrie en Koesisters. It felt like my late mom was there.
“She had the warmest and most giving of souls en kan sy jokes gemaak het! Our tummies would hurt from laughter when Aunty Flori got started with her jokes.
"I am deeply saddened by her death. She will forever live on in our hearts.”