Diamond couple celebrate 60 years

A Chapelton couple celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss.

Marie Pettigrew, 82, and husband Jack, 83, were joined by family for a diamond wedding anniversary dinner.

The happy couple met as children and went to school together at Strathaven Academy before love blossomed as teenagers.

They were married in 1957 in Chapelton before they moved to Northern Ireland, where Jack was based with the RAF.

He was in the armed forces for 25 years and the couple travelled extensively, living in Singapore and Germany.

Marie worked in the Naafi canteen while her husband was stationed abroad but returned to Chapelton with their children after 14 years, settled back in her home town and went on to work with lawyers J&J Barrie in Strathaven.

The couple had two children: a son Alan and a daughter Jacqueline, who died seven years ago.

They have four grandchildren: Ross, Scott, Calum and Andrew.

After retiring from the RAF Jack took over his mum’s pub in Larkhall and ran it for 10 years.

The couple now enjoy a quiet life, with Marie enjoying going out for walks with their dog and arts and crafts in the village.

Marie told the News:“We enjoying going away here and there for the day, although it isn’t usually too far.

“Given the amount of travelling Jack did with his job, we are quite happy at home these days.

“We just had a nice meal with the family as we didn’t want a big party but it was lovely all the same.”

Marie added the secret of a happy marriage is“come and go”and being the best of friends.

“Always talk things through. That’s important,”she said.

“Our grandchildren are not too far away so we also enjoy spending time with them as much as possible.”