‘Be truthful, faithful and loving’ – Southampton residents share secret to a happy marriage on 68th anniversary

Love was well and truly in the air at a Southampton care home when a resident celebrated a very special milestone.  

George Farnan, aged 92, and his wife Joyce, aged 90, toasted their 68^th wedding anniversary at Care UK’s Carpathia Grange, on Southampton Road, where George lives, on the 27^th  March.   

Joyce was introduced to George by her brother in 1945. George said it was “love at first sight” while Joyce added she “fancied him”.

George and Joyce spent their first date at a cinema, and just a few years later got married on the 27^th  March 1955 at St Mary’s Church in Southampton. 

The couple went on to have four children, Peter, Steven Racheal and Joe.

When asked the secret to a long and happy marriage, Joyce said: “Be truthful, be faithful and be loving”.

To celebrate the special milestone, the team at Carpathia Grange surprised the couple with a romantic meal, complete with a specially made anniversary cake. Residents and team members joined together to raise a toast to the happy couple. 

Pooja Dhoot, Home Manager at Carpathia Grange, said: “Here at Carpathia Grange, we know the importance of celebrating life’s milestones, big and small. This was a big day for George and Joyce and one we were honoured to be a part of. They are a wonderful couple, with lots of wisdom about building a strong and successful marriage that I think we could all learn from. 

“The atmosphere in the home was wonderful and prompted many residents to reminisce and share fond memories of their own weddings. It truly was a day to remember – happy anniversary George and Joyce!”

Carpathia Grange is a three-storey care home which provides residential, dementia and nursing care. The home features 62 en-suite bedrooms and has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To find out more about Carpathia Grange, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Nikki Toomer, on nicola.toomer@careuk.com or call 0238 098 8733 or visit careuk.com/carpathia-grange