Bench tribute to couple who died within 12 hours of each other

A devoted Perthshire couple who died within 12 hours of each other after more than 75 years of marriage have been remembered with a special memorial.

Jim and Marjory Ower both died just weeks after celebrating their milestone wedding anniversary at Balhousie Coupar Angus Care Home.

Now the couple’s sons, Jim and Ian, have donated a memorial bench to the care home where they spent their final years.

The bench, which has a plaque remembering the couple, has been placed in the care home’s gardens for other residents and visitors to enjoy.

Both originally from Coupar Angus, Jim and Marjory married during the Second World War, on December 7 1940.

Jim was a farmer, while Marjory took care of their three children.

They saw the world change dramatically during their three-quarters of a century together, from post-war Britain and the Queen’s Coronation, to the invention of the personal computer and the turn of the millennium.

They celebrated a special event last year when Jim turned 100.

The couple then enjoyed a special anniversary surprise party in December at the home.

Manager Alison Miller said they were delighted to have the bench as a reminder of the couple following their death in January.

Jim and Marjory Ower were married for more than 75 years.