Diamond Duo: John and Jen celebrate 60 Years of love, travel, and togetherness

Surrounded by family and friends John and Jen Cruickshank recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Celebrating their 60 years of love and commitment in March the couple exchanged vows in 1965 at St Andrews, Greensted (UK), which is believed to be the oldest wooden church in the world.

Sixty years later, their lives are still shaped by a shared love of nature, the open road and each other.

ALSO READ: Thornhill Manor couple celebrates 60th anniversary

Residents of Thornhill Manor Retirement Village, John and Jen’s life together has taken them near and far.

From Cape Town to the UK and back, from off-road caravanning through Namibia to quiet walks in Modderfontein’s conservation reserve. Their story is one of constant movement and connection to the world around them.

Asked about the secret to their long union, they said: “Hang in there. For better and for worse… Work together, give and take, and enjoy life as a team.”

That spirit of teamwork has carried them through six decades, proving that love, like a good hike, is often about weathering the elements and stopping to enjoy the view.

Born in England, John and Jen were brought to South Africa by their families after World War II.

ALSO READ: Local love birds celebrate 50-year anniversary

Both raised in the Cape, the couple met at the University of Cape Town.

Jen later returned to London to train as a physiotherapist, and John followed to expand his career in insurance.
The two were married on March 25, 1965.

One unforgettable trip in 2006 took the couple through Botswana and Namibia and down to Cape Town.

The nine-week journey included everything from wild camping to battery breakdowns.

Even during the Covid-19 lockdowns, they found ways to keep the spirit of travel alive, by camping in their own garden to shake off cabin fever.

ALSO READ: Italian Sporting Club marks 75th anniversary

Their diamond anniversary was made all the more special by a letter of congratulations from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Delivered by courier just before Easter, the royal message was orchestrated in secret by their daughter, who spent over a year gathering documents and navigating royal protocol.

The surprise left them ‘gob-smacked’ and deeply touched.

The couple’s ties to Thornhill Manor run deep.

Jen, a long-time physiotherapist with Rand Aid, helped establish physio departments in various villages.

When the time came to retire, they chose their cottage at Thornhill Manor, moving in just as the community was forming in 2003.

Now, 22 years later, they’re fixtures of village life.

Jen leads water aerobics in the summer and helps craft recycled greeting cards for fellow residents.

John is known for lighting his backyard firepit on fine evenings, drawing neighbours for conversation and wine under the stars.

Together, they’ve hosted street parties, enjoyed dinner dances, and found fulfilment in friendships.

Their love of the outdoors has always played a central role in their relationship.

From hiking trails with their children and grandchildren to John’s involvement in developing walking paths in the nearby conservation area, their lives have been shaped by a deep appreciation for the natural world.