Gordon and Jean mark 70 years of wedded bliss Be Healthy n Happy in tartan
Couple celebrate in care home with afternoon tea
A devoted couple who live together in a Rutherglen care home marked their platinum wedding anniversary this week.
Gordon and Jean Cowan married on March 23, 1951 following a two-year courtship around Glasgow’s famous dance halls.
And, as the country marked one year in lockdown, the nonagenarians were marking seven decades of married life, surrounded by staff and residents at David Walker Gardens.
A socially distanced afternoon tea, arranged in line with all safety guidance, and filled with music, was enjoyed by Gordon and Jean, and their fellow residents, with each table named after a place that the globetrotting couple have visited in the 72 years since they met at the Dennistoun Palais in Glasgow.
Keen travellers, the pair regularly visited Europe, with a favourite destination being the Italian Lakes.
They have also travelled the length and breadth of North America by bus and train, having sailed over on the Queen Mary.
They settled in Rutherglen in later life and moved into David Walker Gardens in 2018, the home’s sole resident married couple.
Gordon was delighted and grateful that a party was thrown in their honour.
He said: “I never would have imagined as a boy, when I grew up just round the road that I would be here in this wonderful place celebrating with the love of my life after 70 years. “We are very thankful.” Senior care worker Megan Watt described the event as fun, emotional and lifeaffirming.
She added: “Gordon often shares with us fond stories of life and travels with Jean, and we couldn’t help but notice what a tremendous psychological boost that music and a chance to share memories gives not just to them, but to all of our residents.
“Bringing all of that together with the celebration of Gordon and Jean’s amazing life and partnership, was one of the most memorable events we have seen here.
“We all feel so privileged to have been a part of it.”
Gordon and Jean, born in 1922 and 1926 respectively, married in Govan, staging their wedding reception in Rutherglen and honeymooning in Ayr.
Jean was a former ‘clippie’ on the trams, leading the way as the first working women to wear trousers.
David Walker’s manager, Debra Allison explained that despite the challenges Covid-19 presents, love endures.
She told the Reformer: “It was so touching to see Gordon and Jean being able to celebrate the day with the sense of companionship and togetherness that’s characterised our staff and residents’ response to every challenge Covid has presented.”
Val de Souza, chief officer of South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership, praised the efforts of all involved.
She added: “Examples of compassion, thoughtfulness and community spirit have abounded, right across our care homes and throughout this pandemic.
“The fact that Gordon and Jean could take time to relax and reflect on their seven happy decades together is testament to that very spirit.”
Supporters of a Rutherglen and Cambuslang community development trust are being urged to wear tartan when they take on their challenge to help those who are struggling the most.
Healthy n Happy is appealing for locals to build on the tremendous community spirit that has been shown throughout the past year by signing up for the Virtual Kiltwalk 2021.
The event, to be held April 23 to 25, is likely to be the biggest fundraising extravaganza of the year.
So don your tartan and take on any challenge that springs to mind – play a round of golf, trampoline with the kids, boogie along to music, have your own bake-off, or walk, run or cycle. Thanks to
The Hunter Foundation, funds raised by participants will be topped up by 50 per cent. So, for every £1, Healthy n Happy will receive an additional 50p.
Brendan Rooney, executive director at Healthy n Happy, said: “If you are looking to give back, we’d ask you to consider supporting a charity local to you that works across our communities.
“Be a #HealthynHappyHero for Cambuslang and Rutherglen, so we can continue to support those who need it most. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear capes and tartan!”
Visit www.healthynhappy.org. uk/kiltwalk2021, email kiltwalk@ healthynhappy.org.uk or call 0141 646 0123.