Fifty golden years for Glenanda couple
Rob (73) and Wendy (72) Winter celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Friday September 12, with their family and friends joining them on Saturday for a party.
GLENANDA – They met at a friend’s braai, became engaged on Wendy’s 21st birthday and were married a year later in 1964 in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hay Street, Turffontein.
They lived in a Beverley Court, De Villiers Street at first and then moved to semis in Church Street. “We had our three children, Jenny, Craig and Grant and moved to a bigger home in Alexander Road, Turf Club where we lived for 20 years before moving to our present home in Glenanda,”they said.
Rob worked for BICC an electrical company and then for the electrical department with Johannesburg City Council for 38 years, retiring in 1999. Wendy began her work with a bank and later as a dental assistant for Dr Kotkin in Lister Buildings, Jeppe Street.
Rob was a very keen sportsman back in the day and achieved his Southern Transvaal colours for boxing, and provincial colours for hockey. He also enjoyed playing soccer and cricket.
“While Rob was playing sport I enjoyed sewing for the children and made many of their clothes. I had lots of time while Rob was on the field,” she laughed.
When asked what advice they would give to people getting married now, they agreed and said, “You need to get to know each other, plan your wedding together and share ideas. Look at yourselves and ask where you would like to be in 20 years’ time? This will give you something to work towards. Christian values and family life is very important. Also try and put some money away each month for a rainy day, even if it’s only a little. Married life is all about a good balance. Life has been very good to us, we’ve been blessed. An understanding of each other and give and take has helped us to reach fifty years together.”
They have four grandchildren, Jason, Brandon, Chanée and Ryan and one great grandson, Blaine. “Our family means everything to us, we are very close,” they said.
Sharing a love for gardening, they are members of two garden clubs. “Rob loves his garden and spends many happy hours pottering while I am a block visitor at Queenshaven. Keeping busy is a must as you become older and we definitely do that,” they both chuckled.
