TOLERANCE and love is the secret to Pinetown residents, Norah and Barry Thomas’ 60 years of marriage.
Originally from England, Barry joined the BSA police force while Norah took up teaching and conducted and sang in many choirs in Zimbabwe.
They were both stationed in Hwange where they met. The young couple courted for a while and eventually tied the knot at the Zimbabwe Methodist Church in Wankie, Hwange on 5 January 1957 and never returned to England.
Norah and Barry moved to South Africa in 1995 after they retired to settle in Durban. They now live in Sandown Village in frail care. Norah and Barry have reached the ripe old age of 86 and 89 years, respectively.
They were blessed with three children – Simon, David and Caroline and now have six grandchildren – Ewan, Ian, James, Dac, Andrew and Nicola.
Norah enjoyed music while Barry got to grips with the computer but the one thing they said they loved the most about each other was their willingness to always help one another.
Norah’s advice to other couples is to be tolerant and love one another.
Their plans for their diamond anniversary on Thursday, 5 January is to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying tea in Sandown Village frail care surrounded by the people they love.