Great-great-grandparents Don and Eileen Mason celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary
A Knotty Ash couple who met in a cinema more than seven decades ago are “a testament to true love and facing life’s challenges together”. Great-great-grandparents Don and Eileen Mason celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary on Saturday, July 27 – despite Eileen once reassuring her devoutly Catholic mum that marriage was not on the cards.
The couple, who are still amazingly fit and healthy at 93 and 88 years of age, celebrated their 70 years together with a garden party. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all gathered to commemorate their special day.
Their granddaughter Karis said: “My nan is the matriarch really, and on Christmas Day we all go to my nan’s. She’s what keeps us all together.
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Karis added: “Everyone makes a big effort to see her. She’s one of the kindest, loveliest people. If you ask me what keeps them going, I would say, when you have such a kind, genuine heart and have no malice, and wish nobody any harm – that’s what keeps them alive.
“My nan is a devout Catholic, but my grandad wasn’t. When she met my grandad, her mum said she wouldn’t be able to see him because he wasn’t a Catholic, and she said ‘it’s not like I’m going to marry him’ – but lo and behold she did.”
Don, a retired factory worker, was serving in the British Army when he met Eileen at a cinema and asked to walk her home. He had just spent six years in Egypt, and was ready to sign on for another nine-year stint when he decided to get married instead.
Their son Gary said: “Everyone still piles into their house on a Saturday, and mum still makes a nice pie. My dad still follows Everton FC. He’s always been a big Everton supporter. He still goes on Saturdays and Sundays to the Derby Arms and has a few pints. They still look after themselves, do their own shopping, and they’re really good for their ages. Love has kept them going.”
Karis added: “70 years together is unheard of. My other granddad died at just 58, so he didn’t even live as long as they’ve been together. I think they both keep each other alive.
“It’s special in this day and age, where lasting love is rare. They’re a testament to true love and facing life’s challenges together. They walked into the party hand in hand and they’re still best friends.”
