Couple celebrate 75 years of marriage
Paraparaumu couple Jack and MaureenMonaghan have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Lots of people visited them, a priest conducted acommunion service, and there was lots of food and refreshments.
“Party time,” as Maureen described it. “It has been beautiful.”
Anumberof cards decorate a coffee table including fromQueen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Governor- GeneralDame Patsy Reddy, Seniors Minister Tracey Martin and Ka ¯ pitimayorK Gurunathan.
“Five years ago Iwent to the couple’s villa in Summerset on the Coast retirement village in Paraparaumu to interview them about their 70th wedding anniversary.
Five years later I’m back. “We’re very lucky and we’ve got our health,” Maureen said.
They’re the samebright, happy, humourous and considerate couple as I sitdownin their lounge for a chat on Thursday.
Jack is 99nowand Maureen is in her 90s.
“You eat well, you exercise and you have fun,” she said.
Reflecting on their marriage, they said having a sense of humour, being patient, tolerant and forgiving, and having a strong Catholic faith were important ingredients.
The couple are still active and enjoy going for awalk especially the walkway along Marine Parade in Paraparaumu Beach.
They get involved in village activities such as the singing group and enjoy belonging to Probus. “We’re very busy,” Maureen said. They met at an afternoon dance in Leeds during WorldWarII, when Jack, originally from Mataura in the South Island, was on leave from his role as a stoker with the Royal Navy.
After getting married in a church in Dewsbury, the couple lived in Invercargill formanyyears, then
Christchurch formore than 40 years, andnowParaparaumu. Jackwas a carpenter by trade and Maureen held various office roles.
The couple have four children— Lorraine, the late Michael, Terrence and Gracey.