Hemel Hempstead couple celebrate 60 years of marriage at Berkhamsted care home

A couple from Hemel Hempstead celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss on Thursday, October 22.

Gillian 80, and John Mole, 82, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a garden visit at Bupa’s Kilfillan House care home in Berkhamsted, where Gillian is a resident.

The team at the care home set up an area in the gardens for the happy couple to be able to celebrate their special anniversary and open their letter from the Queen together, they also received virtual well wishes from their loved ones including Gill’s sisters, Marilyn and Glenda via a video call.

Gillian and John married in their early twenties, five years after meeting at the Gazette newspaper office in Hemel Hempstead, where they both grew up.

John worked in the television industry and was placing an ad in the local paper whilst Gill was working in the office. John asked Gill to go on a romantic walk and 65 years later theyare still just as in love as the day they met.

After tying the knot in 1960, Gillian and John lived in Felden in Hemel Hempstead before Gill moved to Kilfillan House Bupa Care Home in 2018.

The couple have two children, Andrea and Jonathan, and five grandchildren – James, Tom, Nathaniel, Hannah and Oliver.

John said: “We feel very lucky to have been able to see each other and celebrate together on this special day. It’s been a wonderful 60 years and Gillian and I share so many wonderful memories.

"Thank you to everyone for their kind wishes and to the team at Kilfillan House for ensuring I was able to visit Gillian, we are so very grateful.”

Looking back on 60 years of marriage, the couple believe the secret to a long and happy relationship is to just be yourself.

Home Manager, Caroline Spring, said: “We had a lovely day celebrating Gillian and John’s milestone wedding anniversary.

"The team and I here at Kilfillan House are so glad we could arrange for the happy couple to see each other on their special day – it meant the world to see them so happy.

"Gillian and John are an inspiration to us all, I’m honoured to have been part of their big day.”

Kilfillan House Bupa Care Home welcomes residents in need of residential care, including those living with Parkinson’s. For more information, visit www.bupa.co.uk.