Wilkinsons share six decades of love

HILLCREST residents Arthur and Irene Wilkinson (nee Mindry) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday 8 May.

The couple first met in 1953 when a colleague of Arthur’s arranged for him to wash his car in the Mindry family’s garden where he boarded. Arthur met Irene, one of the daughters, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

They got engaged on Irene’s 21st birthday and were married eight months later on 8 May 1954 at Christ Church, Addington by the Reverend WA Molyneaux. In 1960 they moved into a new house they built in Durban North and later moved to Glenashley where they lived for many years.

The couple have three children, John (who resides in Cape Town), Paul (in Johannesburg) and daughter Sally Stone (who lives in Gillitts). They have also been blessed with eight grandchildren. Arthur worked in the Sugar Industry for many years and retired in 1993.

They both played social tennis and Arthur also indulged in road running. He successfully completed 10 Comrades Marathons. They attribute their successful marriage to trust in each other, respecting each other’s views and supporting each other in every way possible.

They currently reside in Le Domaine, Hillcrest.