Couple go platinum
JOBURG – Starting out in Orange Grove, this couple has been married for 70 years.
Longtime Orange Grove residents Leo and Sarah Canes celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on 14 December.
In 1945, with the world in troubled times, the couple was able to find love when they first met in Margate. “We were both on holiday at the time. I was 18 and he was 21. He approached me and we have been together ever since,” said Sarah.
Read: A couple married for 70 years takes wedding photos for the first time
The Canes wed in 1947 at the Berea Synagogue in a small ceremony before beginning their lives together on Sixth Street in Orange Grove.
He worked as a diamond polisher while Sarah was a typist and raised their two children, Michael and Sharon.
Cane said, “Some of the fondest memories we have as a family was the travel we did to Holland, where much of my extended family lives, and America.”
Early on in their marriage, they joined the Linksfield Ridge Bowling Club. “I served as president of the club for 11 years and we played our bowls there for 30-odd years. We started quite early and we were members until the club packed up, and then joined the Jewish Guild.”
After 70 years, two children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, Sarah said time has really flown by.
In 2010, 35 years later, they moved out of Orange Grove and now live with Cane’s niece in Linden.
Read: Six decades of marriage
When asked the secret to an amazing marriage, Sarah said, “I really can’t tell you what the recipe or secret was, we just got on really well and have loved each other all these years.”
Their son Michael Canes said the anniversary event was beautiful, with old friends and family from all over coming to share their special day. He added, “Family from around who couldn’t be there, sent messages to my parents, congratulating them on their special day.”
