Deepwater Court couple celebrate 70 years of love
Tracey Dearing reports.
On the 28th of February 1953, Max and Gwen Skinner of Living Choice Deepwater Court became husband and wife in their hometown of Manly Vale. Gwen fondly remembers making her own wedding gown for the occasion and how they took Max’s father’s car for a road trip south for their honeymoon. Max built their first home in Manly Vale where they settled.
70 years on and they are celebrating their wedding anniversary with happy memories and lots of well wishes from family and friends. A special lunch was also enjoyed at the War Veterans “Dug out” where they were joined by Gwen’s bridesmaid and Max’s sister, Betty Clement.
The devoted couple have called Living Choice Deepwater Court home for the past five years.
Max, who turns 95 in April, started his working life as a boat builder. He and Gwen met at a local dance. Gwen said, “He was a very romantic boy. On our return home from the Saturday night dances, we had to walk home from the bus stop and Max used to kiss me at every lamppost.”
Gwen says one night, as they were walking home from a dance, Max turned to her and asked if she wanted to get married.
The couple adopted two children and then found out that Gwen was pregnant. Life got very busy for them all. Gwen mentioned how Max was a wonderful father to their children, and they were always a top priority.
In honour of this amazing celebration, they received a special card from King Charles III, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier of NSW, Dominic Perrottet, and local member Liesl Tesch.
Gwen said, “The secret to a happy marriage for us was working together on everything. You have to pull together to make it work.”
