Websters celebrate 50 years of love
Their message to younger couples is: "You have to work hard at keeping your marriage going. You will always have ups and downs, the trick is to work through it."
TOLERANCE, trust and laughter is the secret to Kloof residents, Val and John Webster’s 50 years of marriage.
The couple met as neighbours in Rapson Road, Northdene, 69 years ago. Years later, they realised they were quite fond of each other and began courting. They tied the knot six years later at the Methodist Church in West Street, Durban on 1 October 1966.
When the couple wed, they lived in Umbilo for a few years, then moved to Hillary and Hillcrest and finally settled in Kloof in 1980 where they have lived for the last 36 years.
John started work in an apprentice engineering industry and then joined a company for earth moving and later started his own business, Earth Moving, Plant Hire, in 1985 which he ran for 21 years. He then sold the business with the idea for early retirement, but decided to go back to work with various other businesses.
Val had her first child, Shireen in 1969 and decided to stay at home. She had her second daughter, Chantal in 1972, and then 15 months later had her son, Shane. When he was two years old, Val decided to return to work at Clover Dairies in 1975 until 1996. She then took an early retirement in 1996 to look after her first grandchild and has been at home since.
The couple have five grandchildren – Callum, Jaydeen, Blake, Danielle and Reece. Other than looking after their grandchildren, Val enjoys reading, knitting and watching television. John used to be an avid road runner, having completed a few Comrades Marathons when he was younger, but enjoys watching sports now.
Val said she always loved her husband’s sense of humour the most, John smiled and said he loved her honesty and truthfulness and that they could always be so tolerant towards each other.
Their message to younger couples is: “You have to work hard at keeping your marriage going. You will always have ups and downs, the trick is to work through it.”
The also said they were fortunate to always have youngsters living with them, as they are a close-knit family. It has taught them to be patient and tolerant through their life and to keep their home full of life.
The Websters were joined by their family and friends as they celebrated their golden jubilee with a party at their home in Kloof on their special day.
