True love blossoms through the ages

WESTVILLE residents, Jack and Eileen Spencer, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Tuesday 6 May.

The couple, who grew up in the same neighbourhood, were childhood friends. They were reunited in 1948 while attending a mutual friend’s wedding, and have been together ever since.

Jack and Eileen exchanged their vows a year later at the Old Fort Chapel in Durban. They celebrated their union at the Thousand Hills Hotel in Drummond.

Their love has been blessed with four children, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Before they were married, Jack served as a veteran pilot in the Second Word War from 1941 to 1945. His plane was shot down on two occasions, and during the second strike he was taken to Stalag Luft III, where was detained as a prisoner for 10 months until the war ended. For his sacrifice and survival Jack was awarded two badges: the Caterpillar and the Goldfish.

After the war ended Jack returned to his apprenticeship at Robertson and Cubitt, which was one of two shopfitting companies in Durban. Elileen was employed as a clerk and shorthand typist at an exclusive furniture shop.

When asked what he loved most about his spouse, Jack replied, “Her cooking”. Eileen suggests that for a successful marriage couples should “support each other in all things.”