GILLITTS residents, Melvyn ‘Snowy’ and Irene Suter celebrate their golden anniversary on Saturday, 21 January. The couple met while working for the same company in 1966.
Irene was the secretary for the CEO of Bear Brothers and Snowy was one of the managers. They met in October, got engaged in November and tied the knot at the Manning Road Methodist Church in Durban in January.
During their years together, Snowy enjoyed many promotions in his career and had to move his family from Durban, to Ladysmith, back to Durban, then off to Cape Town before moving back to Durban.
They lived in Westville for 14 years, then moved to Glenwood and various other homes in the Highway area before finally settling in Gillitts.
Their first child, Kevin, was born in 1967, their second son, Guy, was born in 1969 and their daughter, Debbie, was born in Cape Town in 1972.
Irene ran a part time business from home while Snowy worked in Cape Town.
In 1989, Bear Brothers sold out to Steinhoff, however, Snowy remained employed there until his retirement in 1999.
Then Snowy got into ministry at the Umbilo Methodist Church. He became a lay preacher and both Irene and Snowy enjoyed every moment counselling young married couples.
Snowy also enjoyed sport, specifically coaching rugby at Collegians in Durban.
He played flank as a junior Springbok in 1962 and joined the Springbok team in 1965.
Irene kept herself busy by doing crafts and her involvement in the church’s feeding schemes and caring for their children.
She was also a good tennis player and enjoyed embroidery and making Teddy bears.
“We’ve loved one another a lot – I have supported Snowy in his career, business and sport. I believe I was blessed to be at home and be there for our children,” said Irene.
“I’m extremely grateful that God picked the right lady for me. And yes, there were times when I made it difficult for Irene but she never gave up. She looks after me and has never stopped in 50 years,” said Snowy.
Their advice for other couples is to know when to say sorry and to get rid of the stubbornness, to try and be involved in a spiritual family-like church and also have lots of patience and honesty which they believe is the key to success.
They have eight grandchildren, Danna Grace, Matthew, Aiden, Caleb, Sam, Jade, Amber and Tileah.
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