Ninety-two-year-olds Molly and Alex Casey celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary this week with family and friends — that’s 70 years of wedded bliss.
They married in Invercargill’s Holy Trinity Church on May 29, 1954, after travelling separately by boat from England, where they had got engaged.
At that time, Mrs Casey was 21 and her fiance 20 — "I am a baby-snatcher," she quipped.
Mrs Casey said they first met at primary school in Wanstead, East London.
In Invercargill, Mr Casey had a watch-making business and Mrs Casey raised seven children.
The Caseys moved to Queenstown in 1987 and have lived in the same Frankton home ever since.
Mr Casey was Queenstown’s civil defence officer at one stage, and a refuse station attendant for some time. The couple are long-standing Anglican parishioners and have been keen croquet players.
Mrs Casey, who still drives, has been involved with several organisations such as Inner Wheel and a book group and also painted.
Mr Casey, who enjoys a daily walk, was a justice of the peace for 48 years until he pulled the pin, and pen, four years ago.
Aside from six surviving children, the couple have eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Asked the secret to a long marriage, Mrs Casey said it was about "respect for one another".
