Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Fostering love and affection for caring couple on milestone
Selfless pair mark golden wedding anniversary
For more than four decades kind-hearted and caring Plains couple Janet and John Queen have been giving love and support to others – and now they enjoy a well earned moment in the spotlight as they celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
The selfless pair have shared their lives and home with more than 40 foster children as they devoted their time to looking after youngsters in need.
And grateful family members are delighted to highlight the wonderful duo as they mark 50 years of wedded bliss.
Janet, 70, and John, 81, a beloved couple in their home village, met through a mutual friend in 1969 and got married on March 5, 1971.
They started fostering children later that year, while John worked as a miner, and at the age of 21, Janet decided to stay at home and care for kids requiring a safe, stable and happy environment.
The golden pair have one son of their own, Richard, and foster children Carol and Paul continue to be a big part of Janet and John’s life, with the now adult duo seeing them as “the main mother and father figures in their lives”.
Carol said: “Janet and John have devoted their lives to foster caring and have helped more than 40 children to have the best start in life before being adopted.
“They were, and are, wonderful foster parents and I will never forget everything that they have both done for me.
“They have made so many memories over the years and the love and kindness they have shown to all of their foster kids has never stopped as many of them remain in contact with them.”
Janet and John are now enjoying their well deserved retirement and despite the ongoing pandemic, remain optimistic about better days ahead.
Carol said: “John has been a keen darts player for more than 50 years, playing with his local teams, and is a devoted Celtic fan who attended and enjoyed many games when he was fit and able.
“Janet has enjoyed a quiet life with her family; she loves doing jigsaws and going on caravan holidays.
“Like with everyone else, lockdown has taken its toll on them, but Janet and John still continue to stay positive and look forward to everything getting back to normal.
“They hope to get away on holidays later in the year and plan on properly celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when lockdown has ended with a party with family and friends.”
Janet and John’s family are full of praise for the love and affection they show to each other and everyone else – and paid tribute to their marvellous milestone.
Carol said: “They have always been a very modest, independent couple but after 50 wonderful years of marriage, and devoting so many years of their life to fostering children, they deserve the finest recognition and best wishes upon celebrating their golden wedding.
“The whole family wishes John and Janet a very happy anniversary and thank them for everything they have done.
“They are a truly wonderful couple and an amazing mum and dad. We love them immensely and wish them so many more beautiful years together.”