“Do what you are told” – care home residents married 65 years reveal secret to happiness

Love was in the air at a Waterlooville care home when two residents marked an impressive milestone.  

Jean, aged 86, and Charles, aged 90, toasted their 65^th wedding anniversary at Care UK’s Pear Tree Court, on Portsmouth Road, where they both live. 

Jean and Charles met in Edinburgh on the 14^th January 1956 at a university dance. The first impression Charles had of Jean was that he was stunned by her beauty as “she looked like Grace Kelly”. Jean was impressed by Charles’s polite invitation to dance, and she decided then that he was the man she was going to marry.

The couple married on 14^th July 1958 in Coulsdon. They share four children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 

When asked the secret to a long and happy marriage, Charles said: “I always do as Jean says!”

Jean added: “If you are wrong always say sorry.” 

Pear Tree Court organised a special party for the couple and invited friends and family into the home to toast their special milestone. 

Aimee Sparks, Home Manager at Pear Tree Court, said: “Here at Pear Tree Court, we regularly celebrate big anniversaries and understand the importance of maintaining relationships and celebrating life’s milestones. We were honoured to be a part of such a special moment for Jean and Charles. They are truly inseparable, and we can all learn a thing or two from their long-lasting marriage.   

“Marking such a special occasion at the home allowed many of the residents to reminisce and share fond memories of their own wedding days – it was lovely to hear their stories too. Happy anniversary Jean and Charles!” 

Pear Tree Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care.  Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.