New Era couple reveal secret to happy marriage

A couple from New Era recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. On May 21, 1955, John Keevy (92) and his beloved Maxie (88) married at the old Methodist Church in town.

Maxie was a stunning bride in her white dress and elegant veil, while Stuart looked dapper in his black suit.

Back in 1953, when they first met, they were friends for almost two years before going on their first official date.

“We just gravitated towards each other,” Maxie told the Advertiser. “He had lovely red hair at the time, it has always been my weakness.”

Soon after the wedding, they moved to Zambia where they lived for 10 years. After a decade, John and Maxie returned to South Africa along with their two daughters and son.

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The Keevys have now been living at the Esda Retirement Village for 14 years. Along with three children, the couple has also been blessed with three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

John quipped that lots of patience will ensure a happy marriage. But in reality, the happy couple rarely fight.

“We actually don’t know what conflict is to be honest. We never really fought, we just breeze through everything and we have never gone to bed cross with each other,” John said.

According to Maxie, their marriage is a gift from God. “The fact that we stayed healthy and loved each other enough to reach this milestone, is definitely God’s grace,” she said.

The happy couple celebrated their anniversary with an intimate dinner.