A ROMSEY couple shared that their secret to a happy marriage is a “sense of humour” after 60 blissful years together, despite not knowing why they originally got together.
Maureen, 80, and Frederick Gilroy, 87, will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday, July 6 along with their three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with another on the way in November.
The pair got married at Elim Church in Shirley before moving from Southampton to Romsey to escape the pollution in 1973. Mr and Mrs Gilroy have lived in High Firs Road ever since with no regrets as they continue to enjoy small-town family life.
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Maureen, who grew up in Awbridge, said: “I really can’t remember what first attracted me to him. Frederick was first attracted to my sister but I told him she was already spoken for so a few months later he took me out.
“He’s a good, stable, Christian person. We’ve got no worries because we know where to take them. Our secret is having good strong faith and a good sense of humour – my husband more so than me.
“It absolutely poured it down with rain on our wedding day. I’ve never seen rain like it. The minister joked that we’d have to get Noah’s Ark out.
“We moved because I was suffering quite badly from hayfever due to the pollution in Southampton and the doctor suggested Romsey because it had purer air. We knew the schools were good here and we never regretted coming here.
“I wouldn’t change a thing with our marriage. I don’t feel any different now from what I did after 40 years together.
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“We’re quite happy to just sit with each other in the garden or in the lounge with a book. We don’t need anything else. We’re grateful for what God has given us and so blessed to have so many grandchildren.”
Maureen, a retired bookkeeper, and Fredrick, a former electrical controller, also enjoy watching their favourite quiz shows such as Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel and looking after the garden.
Mr and Mrs Gilroy will be joined by around 20 family members on Saturday, July 1 at the Vine Inn ahead of their anniversary date on Wednesday, July 6 when the couple will celebrate some more with an open afternoon at their house for tea and cake.
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