Slough care home resident celebrating 66th wedding anniversary this Valentine’s Day shares secret to a happy marriage

 

A care home resident in Slough is celebrating his 66^th wedding anniversary this Valentine’s Day, after what started out as a friendship became a lifelong partnership and love story. 

91-year-old Norman Moneey, a resident at Care UK’s Oak House, on Forest Close, is celebrating 66 years of marriage with his wife Patricia, aged 88. 

The team at Oak House planned a special celebration for the couple, with a heartwarming afternoon dedicated to love, laughter, and lasting relationships. Norman and Patricia were filled with excitement as they were dressed to the nines to enjoy champagne and a three-course meal which had been thoughtfully prepared by the home’s Head Chef.  

Adding to the ambience of the occasion, the dining room was filled with heart-shaped balloons and themed table decorations.

The pair met at work in Slough and an initial friendship quickly blossomed into something deeper. It was in those early days of shared laughter, hard work and companionship that they realised they had fallen in love with each other. 

After building an even stronger connection, they decided to get married and Patricia wanted to make sure Norman would never forget their wedding anniversary, like so many of her friend's husbands, so they tied the knot on Valentine’s Day, 14^th February 1959, at the Registry Office in Ashwood Middlesex. 

The couple settled in Langley, Slough and became the proud parents of two daughters who later brought three grandchildren into the family. 

Both Patricia and Norman have a love of dancing and an adventurous spirit that saw them travel all over the world together. One of the couple's favourite memories is when Norman would ride his motorbike with Patricia in the sidecar. They also had a beloved caravan in Selsey Bill, a place that brought them peace and where they would spend time with their children in the summer holidays. 

Sharing his own secrets for a long and happy marriage, Norman said: “Stay honest and loyal to your wife. Love your wife as you love yourself and be honest and contented.”

Agnieszka Klimkowicz-Buda, Home Manager at Oak House, said: “We were delighted to help Norman and Patricia celebrate their 66^th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day with a romantic meal to honour their wonderfully long marriage— and a milestone that many of us aspire to reach.

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day has encouraged many of the residents to reminisce and share their favourite memories from their own relationships, which has been so wonderful to hear. I’d like to thank Norman and Patricia for sharing their beautiful love story with us, and providing some relationship advice for the younger generations.”

Oak House provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home, which has its very own café, hair and beauty salon and cinema room, enables residents to live active and fulfilled lives while also promoting independence.