Alf and Sheila celebrate golden years of marriage
Alf and Sheila Jones celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, 6 March.
NOVELIST and writer, Pearl S Buck, said a good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love.
For Waterfall’s Alfred (Alf) and Sheila Jones, this saying spoke the truth as the couple roped in their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, 6 March.
The couple met at Forest High School in Johannesburg, and started dating after the wedding of mutual acquaintances, which they both attended.
Alf proposed to Sheila on 20 March, 1964 and the couple married on 6 March, 1965 at the St John’s Presbyterian Church in Turffontein, Johannesburg.
They spent their honeymoon basking in the Durban sunshine.
They welcomed the birth of their first child, Laurel, in 1966, followed by Trevor in 1968 and then Clinton in 1972. They are the proud grandparents of three granddaughters and two grandsons.
“I don’t believe that any marriage does not have its fair share of ups and downs, but allowing each other a little time and space to do the things
we enjoy, our belief in staying committed to our marriage vows and enjoying each other’s company helps to strengthen the bond,” Sheila said.
“Alf has always been a hard worker and is still working, wanting to give our children and myself the very best he could provide. He is a very compassionate person and we were very fortunate not to have lost him, as he was quite badly injured in a shooting that occurred at a building supply business we had in Alrode, Gauteng. We closed the business in 1994 and relocated to KwaZulu-Natal. He has been, and always will be, the love of my life,” she added.
“Sheila is an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. Nothing is ever too much trouble to help out when help is needed, especially with our children and grandchildren. She has always been the heart of our family, even to our extended family. We can enjoy each other’s company in complete silence, Sheila busy knitting and me watching sport,”Alf said.
When asked what the secret to a loving and lasting marriage was, the couple said: “Always be prepared to listen to each other’s point of view, on any subject, as neither one maybe right or wrong. It is just one’s way of seeing things. And show love and respect at all times.”
The couple celebrated their anniversary on 7 March with family and friends.
