Gem of a couple defy the odds to celebrate
Helen and Roy’ s 65 th wedding anniversary a midst pandemic
An East Kilbride couple have defied the odds to celebrate 65 years of marriage.
Helen and Roy Nicoll have both battled serious illness with their family astounded by their determination to recover.
Helen, 86, has Alzheimer’s and dementia and is a resident in Whitehills Care Home and has fought COVID-19.
A total of 23 residents have died at Whitehills either of suspected or confirmed COVID with the home reported to the Care Inspectorate by Monica Lennon MSP over safety fears.
However, having beaten the virus, she is now recovering in Wishaw General from a broken hip following a fall.
Meanwhile, Roy, 89, who still lives in Westwood and is registered blind also had his own health battles – overcoming a severe lung infection.
Sadly, the couple were unable to celebrate their wedding anniversary, which was last Thursday, together but daughter, Donna, told the News just for the couple to have come through what has been thrown at them is reason in itself to celebrate.
“My parents have just astounded us in the way they have battled through what has been an horrendous few weeks,” she said.
“When mum got COVID it was such a worrying time but I can’t fault my mum’s nurse and the staff they have been incredible.
“She got over that only to fall and break her hip last week but she seems to have come out of the operation well and is making a good recovery in hospital.”
Donna went on: “Dad battled the lung infection at home – I think he was just absolutely determined to fight this and not go into hospital and that’s what saw him through.
“He really misses mum and they have never spend this length of time apart in all their married life.
“Mum went into the care home in January but obviously before the pandemic he could visit mum when he wanted.
“It’s just been such a hard time for all the family but given how much sadness there is at the moment the fact they have come through this is remarkable.
“They have both been fighters all their lives – especially mum who hasn’t had a easy life.”
Helen and Roy first met in 1954 in the Locarno dance hall in Glasgow where they both originally came from.
They married in 1955 and moved to East Kilbride 48 years ago for better housing, living initially in St Leonards before moving to Greenhills and then Westwood.
Roy was a plumber by trade, latterly working for the Co-op while Helen spent many years as a domestic in the former Claremont care home.
The couple have four children – Donna, Roy, Gail and Paul.
They had a fifth child but he sadly passed away as a baby.
And the family now extends to nine grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.
Donna added: “Mum and dad are loved so much by all the family and are a lovely couple. Mum is well-known in the town centre especially as she would go to the shops everyday when she was able and chat to everyone.
“They have amazed us all their life but this past few weeks has been the toughest we have faced and we are so thankful they have come through it.”