"They were over the moon" Preston couple celebrates 65 years of marriage in retirement home

Cutting their cake hand in hand, John and Dorothy Moon enjoy their wedding day back in 1955.
John and Dorothy on their wedding day in 1955.John and Dorothy on their wedding day in 1955.
John and Dorothy on their wedding day in 1955.

65 years on, the couple spent their anniversary together at Buckshaw Retirement Village.

The retirement home, on Oakbridge Drive, Chorley, rallied staff together to plan a heartwarming day for the Preston couple and invited their daughters, along with their new born great grandchild, to celebrate with them from behind the gates.

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"We didn't want their special day to go unnoticed and didn't just want the staff to give them a card and some flowers. We wanted the family to be able to celebrate it with them" said Julie McGlough, Manager of HICA Assisted Living.

The couple say hello to their great-grandchild through the gates.The couple say hello to their great-grandchild through the gates.
The couple say hello to their great-grandchild through the gates.

"Through lockdown, and the health and wellbeing programme I have been running, we have had to adapt our normal activities and start visiting residents in their rooms, which has meant we have got to know them so much better.

"We have been keeping residents connected with their families through video calls, but we wanted to make it a little more special for them. "

Meeting at the tender age of 17, John was a sewing machine mechanic and Dorothy was a machinist. Their blossoming love led to their marriage on May 26 1955 and four daughters shortly followed.

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The couple have been living at Buckshaw Retirement Village for over a year and have been "a pleasure to care for" according to staff at the residential home.

John and Dorothy celebrate 65 years of marriage.John and Dorothy celebrate 65 years of marriage.
John and Dorothy celebrate 65 years of marriage.

Their special day was accompanied with flowers, cakes and cards to help brighten their special day under lockdown restrictions.

Daughters Christine, Linda, Karen and Susan waved to their parents from a safe distance and gave the happy couple the opportunity to meet their newborn great grandchild, cradled in a pram, through the railings.

"John and Dorothy have underlying health conditions, so have been completely self isolating through the lockdown. Their family haven't seen them at all and they hadn't had chance to meet their great grandchild," said Julie.

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"They were over the moon with the celebrations. We are all going through a difficult time, so it was important that staff got involved with them and the family.

"The love they have for each other is still as fresh & meaningful as the day they got married."

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