pink ladies

Pink Ladies Organisation co-founder, Desiree Rechner passed away. Photo: Supplied

Pink Ladies bid farewell to beloved co-founder and stalwart

Well-known stalwart in the fight for missing and exploited children, Desiree Rechner from Pink Ladies passed away after a short illness.

pink ladies

Pink Ladies Organisation co-founder, Desiree Rechner passed away. Photo: Supplied

The death of Pink Ladies organisation’s Desiree Rechner has come as a shock to many police stations and members of the public.

Rechner who is also known as Des or Nana passed away on Monday after a short illness.

PINK LADIES STALWART PASSES AWAY

The news of Rechner’s passing was shared by the organisation’s Co-director & Co-founder, Jacqui Thomas.

“Our Beloved Mom and Granny Des (Nana) passed away peacefully this morning [Monday] after a short illness.  

“Des was not only a stalwart in our fight for missing and exploited children but also a business partner, confidant, best friend, mother and grandmother. 

“Our heartfelt condolences to her daughter, grandchildren and all who were touched by her,”

said Thomas. 

She added that on a personal note, over the past 16 years, she and Des never went more than a day without a call, message or email. Thomas further said, Des’ constant presence will be sorely missed, but her legacy will remain.

She said business operations will continue as usual, which is what Des would want. 

Des was the co-founder along with Thomas of the Pink Ladies Organisation which they started in 2007. This was after two young women had gone missing and were later found raped and murdered. 

With the help of social media, the Pink Ladies were quickly adopted as the social face of missing people, alerting people to those who need to be found. The organisation gained a lot of momentum.

The Pink Ladies worked well with the police and family members of missing people to help find them.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCES POUR IN FOR THE STALWART

People have started sharing their messages of condolences to the stalwart.

Kobus Vivier wrote on Rechner’s Facebook wall: 

“The below msg was posted with a heavy heart … Earlier this morning, we received the sad news that The Pink Ladies Organization Stalwart, Friend. Mother and Legend Desiree Rechner (aka Nana to most) passed away just after 05am. My heartfelt condolences to her family, personal friends and the thousands whom know her. Her passing will be felt by thousands across South Africa, her hard work will forever be missed, but her legacy will be carried by many going forward. R.I.P Nana, you will be sorely missed”

Foziah Davidson Prins wrote: 

“Fly with the angels, my beloved Nana (Desiree Rechner), superhero Pink Ladies Commander In Chief. I will miss you, love you and admire you Always”

Deidre Solomons wrote: 

On behalf of Kirstenhof SAPS our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. What a phenomenal passionate lady that I personally had the privilege to work with. Always a phone call away to assist us when needed. She will be missed. Thank you for your wonderful contribution to the police, we salute you. Sgt Solomon.

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