Fortunately, that meant they avoided bad luck.
She and husband Struan are still happily married and marked their 70th wedding anniversary yesterday.
Mr and Mrs Simpson, of Oamaru, were married in 1949 at Tokarahi Presbyterian Church inland from Oamaru. It was followed by a reception at the Tokarahi Hall.
She recalled the weather was a ‘‘bit showery’’ at their ‘‘country wedding’’, but improved throughout the day.
Mrs Simpson, who worked as a dressmaker before getting married, also recalled a potential hiccup just before the wedding.
‘‘I remember driving along and Struan was coming the other way.
‘‘He was running a bit late and in those days you were not meant to see each other, so I closed my eyes,’’ she said, laughing.
Both come from farming families in Tokarahi and lived about 5km apart.
They attended the same primary school and were educated at Waitaki Girls’ and Boys’ high schools.
That meant they were friends from an early age, which blossomed into romance.
While Mr Simpson, who worked on the family farm, was on the way to Europe during World War 2, the war on the continent ended and was quickly followed by Japan’s surrender in the Pacific theatre.
He was part of the J-Force group in Japan and while overseas, exchanged letters with Mrs Simpson.
When he returned they became a couple, and then got engaged.
After 70 years of marriage, you would think Mrs Simpson might have some sage advice for young couples, or know the secret to a successful marriage.
However, she said it was more a case of living a simple, happy life and sharing common interests.
Both live at Observatory Village Lifecare, Mrs Simpson in a villa and Mr Simpson in one of the care wings.
They celebrated their anniversary at the weekend with a light lunch at Riverstone with immediate family and a few close friends.
‘‘It was a great day,’’ she said.
‘‘A lot of them live far away and they got together ... it was a beautiful day.’’
The couple have five children, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
