Rankins marriage yields a pot of gold

WORKING as a team and learning the value of patience is the secret to Waterfall residents, Derek and Marion Rankin’s golden marriage.

The couple met at a party in Johannesburg following Derek’s fresh arrival from Dublin, Ireland. They courted for three years before getting engaged and finally tied the knot in Dublin on 24 August 1963. They honeymooned on the ship Edinburgh Castle on their way back from Southampton to Cape Town, and then settled in Durban.

Derek had left Ireland to work for AA Mutual Insurance Company, where he worked for 18 years. He then joined an insurance brokering house, Price Forbes which later became Alexander Forbes, where he retired in 2000.

Meanwhile Marion concentrated on raising their three daughters Beverley, Michelle and Wendy, later working as a doctor’s receptionist when her girls were in a high school. She was working for an occupational therapist when she retired.

Marion described their 50 years of marriage as wonderful. In that time they’ve lived on the beach front and built a house in Pinetown where they lived for 20 odd years before moving to Durban North. They moved to Waterfall 10 years ago. Marion and Derek now have seven grandchildren.

“Derek has also been a very patient and easy going person, which is what I still love about him,” said Marion.

Derek smiled and said his wife’s caring nature and willingness to help others will always have a soft spot in his heart.

“An understanding and respect for one another is just as important as learning to compromise – that’s my advice to other couples,” said Derek.

The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends at a luncheon on Sunday.