THE love that binds Dean and Edna Simpson was strong enough for them to weather the storm together.
After 60 years, the Hillcrest couple is still happily married and believe that their union was meant to be.
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The couple both grew up in Durban and said they met through Dean’s work colleague who was also Edna’s friend.
“I liked him instantly, I was attracted to his gentleness, he was just kind,” said Edna.
After dating for a while, they tied the knot on 30 March 1961 at the Manning Road Methodist Church.
Edna said once married, Dean proved continuously that he was a caring responsible man.
“I love that about him, when we got married, we had nothing, we moved in a bachelor flat but he worked hard to provide for his family. He studied to uplift himself after we had our third child and for that I will forever be proud of him,” said Edna.
Dean said he loved and still loves everything about his wife.
“We have had rough times but we have had more nice times, all in all I can proudly say we have had a beautiful marriage. If people truly love each other, they need to stick with each other, there will be disagreements but people need to forgive, forget and move on,” he said.
Dean and Edna said they grew up in the musical era, the 1960’s, “We enjoyed dancing and listening to our favourite artists, Neil Diamond, the Beatles and Elvis Presley.”
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Now retired, the couple said they spend most of their time working around the house.
Dean worked in the water department laboratory doing research while Edna worked as a secretary in few schools including Pitlochry Primary, Westville Girls’ and Westville Senior Primary.
The couple lived in Westville for many years before moving to Pietermaritzburg and then settling in a retirement home in Hillcrest.
They have four children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.
