WINSTON Park couple, Margaret and Fred Donnelly, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, May 26.
They met in July 1971 when Fred was working as a carpenter and Margaret was working in an accounts office.
They got engaged after their third date on September 4 and tied the knot in 1973 at the United Reformed Church in Redcar, in the United Kingdom.
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In those days, Margaret said Fred was an avid scuba diver, and a diving holiday had already been planned.
Having worked in construction, in the early stages of their marriage, Fred had worked in Poland and Saudi Arabia on single status.
“Our son, Martin, was born in 1977, and on April 12, 1984, we moved to South Africa and settled in Springs, East Rand.”
“We are grateful for the work opportunities that gave us our time together in many exciting locations such as Tanzania, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Dubai and back in the UK,” said Fred.
After 50 years in the construction industry, Fred ‘semi’ retired in 2015, and they relocated to Winston Park to be closer to their family, including their grandson, Adam, who was born in June 2014.
Margaret said their recipe for a happy marriage is to be in love with and respect each other, make important decisions together and talk over any problems, whether large or small.
“After being together for over 50 years, we often know what the other is thinking or about to say,” she said.
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