Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Church elders celebrate in style
Two church elders were a match made in heaven as they marked 60 years of wedded bliss.
John and Euphemia McAuley’s relationship has stood the test of time despite past challenges including John’s national service and serious illness.
The Coatbridge couple – known as Ian and Fay – celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a trip to Benidorm with only child John and his wife Doreen.
Ian, 80, and Fay, 82, met when fate brought Glasgow man Ian through to Coatbridge Palais with friends to sample the town’s vibrant nightlife in 1956. And it was a case of love at first sight, with the lovestruck pair immediately starting to date.
After a two- year courtship, they were married at Coatbridge’s Buchanan Church on July 18, 1958, and have resided in the same Kirkshaws home ever since.
But, less than a year later, the couple were separated when Ian began two years of national service with the Cameronians Regiment in Germany and Kenya.
The newlyweds wrote daily letters to each other which helped them pass the long wait to be reunited.
In April 1962, Ian and Fay celebrated the birth of their only child John, who has also always resided in Coatbridge.
However, as John explains, his parents were rocked by an unexpected health scare five years later: “Despite being a complete non-smoker, dad was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“But, thanks to the skills and care of staff at Hairmyres Hospital, he had a successful operation to remove one of his lungs.
“And despite this lifethreatening illness, dad returned to work that same year and continued to work as an engineer until retiring aged 60.”
Ian spent the vast majority of his working life in heavy engineering, such as the railway, British Steel and RB Tennents Coatbridge, where he retired as foreman engineer.
Fay worked locally as a shop assistant, factory worker and then home help before finishing her career to spend more time with her family and later care for her mum, Beatrice Weir, who lived until the age of 91.
Son John added: “In July 1992, mum and dad celebrated the birth of their only grandchild Craig and have devoted great parts of their life to their small family, ensuring they are always put first.
“Craig stays in Glasgow but is in constant contact with his gran and grandpa.
“Mum and dad have always enjoyed holidays and their favourite destinations are Germany, Belgium, Benidorm, Ireland and Blackpool.
“Both are serving elders at Old Monkland Parish Church where, letter, losing touch for a while but getting back in contact when Denis wrote to his future bride from a holiday in Lourdes.
Betty told the Advertiser: “I met him and his friend on the seafront on that first day. It was their first time in Ireland and until recently, dad was church officer. They both assist at almost every church event.”
John was proud to help his parents celebrate their diamond they spent a fortnight at a lovely seaside resort.
“I was 16 at the time – we corresponded for a couple of years but then lost touch.
“Then Denis went to Lourdes with his sister and sent me a card. I replied thanking him and he milestone, saying: “My wife Doreen and I went on a lovely pre-anniversary trip to Benidorm with mum and dad and we all had a great time.
“Mum and dad then celebrated this special milestone with family and friends at the Tudor Hotel and hope to enjoy many more anniversaries together.”