N.L. couple a picture of togetherness
Walter Chaffey, 91, slowly leans over and gently kisses his wife Phyllis, 85, on the forehead. His arms cradle her close — it’s clear this is where they both belong.
In their family home in Musgravetown, it’s common for a family member or visitor to drop in and find the two cuddled on the sofa.
They never want to be apart.
SWEETHEARTS
The two will celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary March 6.
It’s obvious, after all these years, Walt and Phyllis are still sweethearts.
Over their 70 years together — married for 68 and two years of “courting” as Walt puts it — they had three children, sons Wayne and Claude, and a daughter Brenda who died after a battle with cancer.
They’ve had good times and bad, but when a couple spends decades in love they also create a seemingly endless legacy of memories and stories.
Walt was 13 when his dad died. He left school to work. He earned his high school equivalency and ended his working days as postmaster, retiring after 35 years. He was also a lay minister for the United Church.
Walt’s eyes light up as he recounts the days of his and Phyllis’ early love.
He remembers the first time he saw her as she walked one day with her mother.
“She had long hair, with big plaits. I fell in love with them there.”
Years later, in the courting days, about 1949 to 1951, Walt travelled bicycle, boat, or even over the frozen water to go from Musgravetown to Phyllis’ home in Brooklyn.
Walt’s buddy Selby Matthews was courting Phyllis’ older sister Olive. Walt and Selby shared one bicycle between them to make the trip. They often travelled in relays.
In winter, they crossed on the ice in the bay. They used a broom handle to test the ice, if it went through, they knew the ice was dangerous. Crossing even in the dark, Walt recalls how he dropped his flashlight and it broke into pieces. He felt around for the parts and put them back together to see where he was going.
One memorable night they were caught in a blizzard coming back across the bay, taking shelter in the cliffs of Shag Island for the night.
But for Walt, it was all worth it for young love.
CONSTANT IN HER LIFE
Phyllis, too, has her stories of those early years of love. She would tell her mother she was going to church to practice playing the organ. In actuality, she was using the church on the hill as a vantage point to watch for Walt crossing the bay.
Today, Phyllis, 85, suffers from dementia. While she has lapses in her memory, the one constant in her life is Walt.
They not only spend a great deal of time cuddled on the couch, but also go for long drives.
Walt calls it part of Phyllis’ treatment, as it’s one of their favourite things to do.
And their favourite destination? Bonavista, at the tip of the peninsula. It’s a common sight to see the two in their old truck heading into the town, waving at everyone they meet.
They’ve camped all over the island and seen just about every community, but Walt says, “there’s no people on Newfoundland island like the people in Bonavista.”
Walt has endless stories all told — and experienced — with Phyllis quietly by his side. They wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’re still together, 68 years married,” said Walt as he looks lovingly at his partner.
“She’s the same now as always, I suppose.”
Asked for his advice on what makes for such a happy, idyllic marriage, Walt thought for a second and responded with one word.
“Love.”