Couple celebrates 60th anniversary
Helen, whose cancer is still present, is called the “miracle patient” by her doctors.
Bill and Helen Blake will celebrate six decades of marriage on October 17.
Residents at Rand Aid’s Thornhill Manor for the past 11 years, neighbours still speak of the legendary fish and chip lunches the couple used to serve to fellow Thornhill residents each Friday.
When Helen was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago, the Blakes were forced to slow down and regrettably they had to stop preparing village lunches twice a week and put the brakes on the extensive travels that had characterised their retirement.
Helen, whose cancer is still present, is called the “miracle patient” by her doctors.
The couple have four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who they say are close-knit and always there to lend a helping hand.
“We have 29 family members and consequently, my late mom jokingly gave everyone a number because of the many names that had to be remembered. But she always said there was not a dud among them,” said Bill.
The family will have a picnic lunch to mark the couple’s anniversary.
The Blakes have enjoyed a rich life, having lived for seven years in Zambia, where two of their children were born, building two homes, and enjoying quality time outdoors boating and water skiing with their children. Helen was an avid cook and seamstress and Bill still plays golf twice a week.
