Diamond anniversary for Rosie, Phil
by Reverend Letcher, the local Methodist minister in Mossel Bay at the time.
Rosie and Phil started their married life in a batchelor flat in Marsh Street and after the arrival of their first child, Debbie, they bought a home in 21st Avenue and later moved to their present home, where they have lived for 52 years of their married life and where they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary (60 years).
Both Rosie and Phil were blown away when two of their three daughters, Jenny and Ingrid, with their husbands, Stephen and David, and Ryan, the youngest of their five grandchildren, arrived at their home unannounced.
The children had decided this was an opportunity not to be missed to visit their parents and their town of birth. Unfortunately their eldest daughter, Debbie and granddaughter Bianca, could not share in the surprise as they live in Sydney Australia.
In this modern age and with modern technology, messages and videos were received from Debbie, Bianca and the other three grandchildren, Amy-Rose, Andrew and Kyra.
Both Rosie and Phil are longtime Mossel Bay residents. Phil was born in Mossel Bay and Rosie's family moved to Mossel Bay when she was five years old. The Gerber and Cummins families have been intertwined and friends for many years, since 1944. When the diamond anniversary couple were asked what their secret is, Rosie said: "Patience is a virtue," to which Phil replied: "Silence is golden."
On a more serious note, they both agreed that a loving and caring family is what it is all about.