Care home resident who used to be a care worker celebrates her 60th wedding anniversary

A care home resident, who used to be a care worker, has celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary

Thelma Massey and her husband Ken celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at Pendine Park’s Highfield Nursing Home in Summerhill, where Thelma Massey now lives after she suffered serious illness and became wheelchair bound.

Before her retirement, Mrs Massey worked as a care practitioner at Pendine’s Gwern Alyn House.

Mr Massey, 83, who still lives at their Garden Village home where they raised their family revealed: “At the time we met, Thelma was working at Marks and Spencer which organised the bus trip to Blackpool but there were not enough people to fill the bus. The sister of a mate of mine was one of the passengers and through her we ended up being offered the chance to fill the spare seats.

“So off we went to Blackpool. I didn’t know Thelma until that day, but we got chatting on the return journey and we just clicked. That was that – the start of our romance.”

The couple courted for about four years before their wedding on 10 March.

Mr Massey said: “When we were first married we lived in a caravan in Llay. The first winter we were there was the most freezing I’ve ever known, so cold that even the Calor gas heater froze up. But we stuck it out and we’re stronger for it.”

’It was hugely emotional for us all’

Mr and Mrs Massey moved to Smithfield before moving permanently to Garden Village where they raised their three boys David, Paul, and Steve.

They also have four grandchildren, Dan, 26, Faith, 16, Jacob, 16, and Ioan, eight.

To mark their parents’ diamond wedding anniversary, their sons organised a celebration cake, flowers and a mini film in which other family members and long-time friends expressed their good wishes and told of happy memories with the couple.

Paul Massey said: “We showed it to Mum on the day and it was hugely emotional for us all because she hadn’t been able to see some of her friends for so long. It was a great way for them all to tell her how much they love her and have been thinking of her and Dad.”

Special arrangements were made for Mr Massey and his sons to visit Thelma Massey on the day and fellow residents joined in the celebrations which included a big figure 60 lit up in spotlights and a decorative tree on which heart-shaped messages of congratulations were hanged on branches. Photos of the special occasion were posted on Pendine Park’s Facebook page so friends who could not visit in person could share in the couple’s happy day.

'All in all, it’s been a fantastic journey'

Care practitioner Sophie Smith said: “A diamond anniversary is a landmark occasion which many couples do not get to reach so we wanted to do our very best to ensure the day was extra special for Thelma, Ken and their family. It has been a privilege for us all here to share in the celebrations with them.”

Mr Massey added: “All the staff at Highfield have been wonderful with us, and we know Thelma is in the most comfortable place here, second to her family home. “She’s still the boss, lets me know what to do, what I’m doing right and where I’m going wrong.”

“I know she is in the right place here and getting the best care possible, and they were excellent with us on the day of our anniversary.

“It is amazing to think we have spent more than 60 years together when it only seems like minutes ago that we were first meeting on up on that wonderful day trip to Blackpool. All in all, it’s been a fantastic journey!”

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