Former Bellair couple celebrate 60 years of marriage
Love has kept Nick and Shirley Foonk going strong for all these years.
SHIRLEY and Nick Foonk dated for four years before finally tying the knot at Frere Road Presbyterian Church on 26 November 1960.
Shirley said her husband took that long to make it official as he wanted to make sure they stayed married.
The couple who celebrated their diamond anniversary last week met on a blind date which was organised by Shirley’s friend and Nick’s sister.
The couple resided in the Bellair area for 45 years.
Shirley currently stays in Hillcrest with her daughter, Jill as Nick was recently taken to the frail care facility at The Camphors in Hillcrest.
Shirley said the home made their anniversary a special one.
“It was a wonderful day, they did everything in their power to make us feel special and even set up a table, we are very thankful for that,” said Shirley.
The bride’s most admirable quality is her positive attitude and her faith.
Her motto since lockdown is to ‘take one day at a time’
To be separated after so many years of marriage has been a big adjustment for her, but she is by his side for a visit every day.
His quiet manner and Nick’s neat dress sense was what attracted Shirley to her husband.
“Love has kept us going strong for all these years, love is kind and love is forgiving which was the reason we had rules that we would never go to bed angry at each other.
“Family was and is still very important to us, we took good care of our family which is the reason they are now looking after us.”
Sheila advised young couples to work at their marriage all the time and make compromises.
“Marriage is not easy, we had happy years, we loved the outdoors and camping so there was no time to get bored,” she said.
The couple also worked together for 40 years, “My husband was a financial advisor and I worked for him. At work, he was my boss and we treated each other as colleagues,” said Sheila.
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