A gem of a couple celebrates 65 years of marriage
It is clear Ray is still smitten with Christina and he proclaimed no other woman could ever come close to what she means to him.
A chance encounter as teenagers at the movies resulted in 65 years of marriage for Brenthurst couple Ray and Christina Mabbutt.
Residents of the Cosy Corner Moth Cottages, Ray (83) and Christina (84) celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary yesterday (Thursday).
Hailing from the UK, the couple was married in Guildford, Surrey, on February 25, 1956, and spent only a few days together as newlyweds before Ray, who served in the British Army, was shipped off to serve in Europe.
They would not see each other for three years.
Explaining how he met his future wife, Ray told the Herald he was at the movies with his friends when a group of young women took up the row of seats in front of them.
“I just saw her and thought to myself she’s rather nice,” he said.
Ray approached Christina after the movie.
“And that was that. I later said to my mates, she’s going to be my wife,” he recalled.
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They honeymooned in Great Yarmouth, a resort town off the east coast of England, for two or three days before Ray’s military duties called.
“It was the Cold War. They sent me off to Germany and all over and I didn’t see her for years. It’s not the best start to a marriage, yet here we are,” said Ray.
Christina lived in a flat above Ray’s parents’ home in Guildford and upon Ray’s return to England in 1959 they remained in the town.
They were blessed with two children, Karl (58) and Tracey (56), and immigrated to South Africa in 1970.
“We could have gone to Australia or the United States, but we chose South Africa. That’s where the Lord found us,” said Ray, who is a pastor and former emergency services chaplain.
The couple first called Cape Town home, before settling in Edenvale in 1979.
Ray worked in the plastics and chemicals industry for many years, while Christina worked as a secretary, as well as in the printing industry.
With Ray being an ex-serviceman, the couple was offered a home at the Cosy Corner Cottages and have been residents of this local Moth community for the last 12 years.
Ray is still active in the Moths and has served as the Old Bill at various shellholes.
He is also the vice-chairperson of the Brakpan branch of the South African Legion.
Asked about the secret to their successful marriage, Ray explained communication is key.
“There is no secret. If there’s a problem, talk about it,” he said.
They have also renewed their wedding vows several times over the years.
It is clear Ray is still smitten with Christina and he proclaimed no other woman could ever come close to what she means to him.
The couple has four grandchildren, Dean, Mickala, Tristan and Kendal, and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Archie.
To celebrate their special day, Ray planned to take Christina out for lunch.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
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