SIMILAR interests and always doing things together is what Manors’ residents, Edie and David Pillay believe is their secret to 50 years of marriage.
The two met while passing each other on their way to school and college back in the day.
David went to ML Sultan and Edie to Clairwood High.
Although they were very attracted to each other, they went their separate ways until fate brought them to meet for the second time.
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Edie said she loved to dance and David has started his own dance band which she often attended.
Their love was again ignited and they courted for a year. The couple were finally engaged on her 21st birthday in April 1967 and tied the knot at St Louis Catholic Church in Clairwood on 9 December 1967.
They remained residents of Clairwood for 14 years and had four children, Cornelia, Dominique (passed away), Russell and Ashley.
David worked for 10 years as a junior clerk and then 34 years in marketing and sales in the building industry.
Edie worked at Pal Mal Neckwear as a senior cutter for 18 years and when she moved to Pinetown, joined CI Caravans for 26 years, also in the cutting department.
They moved to Pinetown in 1980, lived in Nagina for 14 years, then Caversham Glen for nine years and are currently living in Manors.
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Edie described her marriage as: “Our married life has been a covenant that we made with God in good times and bad.”
She added that over the years, they have always done things in unity, from washing their first car (a 1959 Morris 1000), to gardening and more.
Their advice to other couples is to, “Devote all your love and attention to your spouse at all times. “Marriage hasn’t been a bed of roses, we’ve had a million smiles and a few little tears,” said Edie.
She said David always spoilt her on special occasions with meaningful cards written by him and he said he always loved her cooking, baking and entertaining skills. He called her his “love strength”.
Although they are sad their children and six grandchildren will not be able to celebrate their special day with them due to work commitments abroad, they believe they will be with them in spirit.
The Pillays plan to celebrate their golden anniversary at Holy Mass at their church on Saturday at 5.30pm where they will receive a special Papal blessing from the Pope in Rome, followed by a dinner with a few family and friends at the home.
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