John and Mary Phillips celebrate diamond anniversary
The couple met in Stanger in 1957 while John was playing soccer.
Jabulani resident, John Phillips, 87, and his gorgeous wife Mary, 83, celebrated their 60th anniversary on 26 December.
The couple took up residence at Jabulani 11 years ago, but two years ago Mary took ill, suffered two strokes, and had to be moved to Mooi Hawens’ frail care centre. “I did get to spend our anniversary with her. I visited her on Christmas Day, our anniversary, her birthday on 29 December and New Year’s Day,” said John.
The couple met in Stanger in 1957 while John was playing soccer. He was doing his apprenticeship for panelbeating and Mary worked in a millinery factory in Moore Road in Durban. Two years later the couple was married at St Joseph’s Church.
The first years of their marriage were difficult after they lost their first two children, but they went on to have three more – Russell, 52, who lives in Toti, and Colleen, 49, and Michelle, 47, who live in Australia. They have been blessed with six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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The family moved to then Rhodesia from 1968 to 2005 and John had a varied working life at a sugar mill, as a policeman, where he survived a rocket attack on the vehicle they were traveling in, and at Ford Motor Company. Mary worked in a bakery and also at Ford, before opting to stay at home to raise their children.
During the tumultuous years when Rhodesia suffered through its civil war, the family lived in a bombed-out hotel.
And what is John’s secret to such a long-lasting marriage? “Giving and taking, and rolling with the ups and downs,” were his wise words.
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