6 decades of memories

The family of Frank and Pat Lucas – who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on 11 February – did more than imagine, they created special memory boxes for the couple.

Pat lives in her own home at the Rand Aid Association Elphin Lodge retirement village while Frank lives in the River Lodge 2 wing of the Ron Smith Care Centre due to extra care that he needs, situated in the same grounds.

The memory boxes were lovingly put together by family and friends and were presented to the couple on their anniversary shortly before Valentine’s Day. The boxes were filled with individual memories of Frank and Pat, and the couple considers these gifts of treasured memories the best gifts that they have received.

Daughter-in-law Margie Lucas and her son Michael organised the memory boxes, and the family agreed to share a few of the memories contained in the box. The family remembered stories told by Frank and Pat, and how pavlova and sausage rolls were always on the table when these stories were told. The grandchildren reminisced about playing cricket when their grandfather came home from work.

“I remember the smell of sawdust and all the incredible creations that came out of Pops’ garage. My Wendyhouse was so well kitted out. It even had a wooden washing machine that Pops made for me. I was the luckiest little girl,” said Pat and Frank’s granddaughter Sarah.

The pair were very involved with the Anglican Church and met at a church function when she was about 16 and he 20. They were married at St Mary’s Church in Rosettenville in 1956 and had four children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. All four generations are still in Johannesburg and were present at the celebration.

“We built a house in Bedfordview and grew wonderful fruit, nuts and vegetables that kept us healthy and well-fed. I became a director of Reunert & Lenz, supplying the railways with wheels, axles and gears,” recalled Frank.

The Lucases were very prominent in their community, with Frank joining the Village Council in Bedfordview and serving as mayor. He even had a road named after him which was called Lucas Lane, and started the local Rover Boy Scouts, as well as a local Toastmasters Club.

Frank and Pat spoke about a very special family camping trip which took them across England, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Holland. “What a wonderful time we had, swimming in the Mediterranean and seeing all the amazing sights of each country,” concluded Frank.