It’s more than chemistry for Westville couple
Westville couple Bridget and Hugh Brookes are celebrating 60 years of marriage after first meeting at university in 1964.
WESTVILLE couple Bridget and Hugh Brookes met in 1964 at the University of Cape Town where they were both studying towards Bachelor of Science degrees.
Hugh was assisting with students as a tutor, and Bridget was one of the students in his class.
One day after lectures, because it was raining, Bridget asked Hugh for a lift to the bus stop on the main road. He didn’t give her a lift to the bus stop, but rather, took her all the way home. The rest, as they say, is history.
Also read: Couple toasts to 50 years of marriage
After both graduating with B.Scs from UCT, Bridget and Hugh were married on January 8, 1966, in Cape Town and this year they celebrate 60 years of marriage.
“We then went and worked in the United Kingdom for a few years, before travelling to Canada where I found a job at The Canadian National Research Council,” recalled Hugh.
“Our first daughter, Kathy, was born in Canada. We then moved to Durban after Hugh was offered a job at the University of Kwazulu-Natal as a lecturer,” said Bridget.
There he obtained a Doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry, and then his Professorship. Bridget started her career at The Fishing Industries Research Institute, and after that spent a number of years working at Mangosuthu Technikon as a lecturer. She also obtained a Doctorate, but in Organic Chemistry.
“Our second daughter, Suzanne, was born in Durban, and our third daughter, Ginnie, was born in the UK during a one-year stint working at the Imperial College, London.”
The couple has three daughters, born in three different countries, in three different decades (60s, 70s and 80s).
They have eight grandchildren between their three daughters.
Over the years, Bridget and Hugh said they enjoyed travelling and have visited many countries.
“We believe that the secret to our marriage lasting so many years is down to having good communication, and mutual respect,” said Hugh.
They will celebrate their 60th anniversary with the whole family, including their youngest daughter Ginnie and her family who will travel from the UK to join them.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
