69-year
marriage endures through patience, 'easygoing
nature'
Monday, November 28,
2005 -- Craig Anderson
Frost Manor staff adorned
the restorative dining room with balloons
and set out the fine china Friday for a very
rare wedding anniversary celebration.
Helen and Garnet Wetherup, celebrating their
69th anniversary, were treated to a special
lunch hosted by the home and their two daughters,
Linda and Susan. According to Vi O’Leary,
life enrichment co-ordinator, Garnet attributed
the couple’s longevity to his own easygoing
nature.
“He said to me – ‘I just
listened and did what I was told,’”
says Vi, laughing. “He is very laid
back,” she says.
Garnet, a Frost resident for two years (Helen,
who lives at home, is 87, 11 years his junior),
wasn’t so relaxed about his wedding
day, however.
Helen, who had lost her mother when she was
six years old, was raised by a protective
but doting father. Her father wouldn’t
accept the proposed union between Helen, 18,
and Garnet, 29.
The two were married without her father’s
blessing, on Wednesday, November 25th, 1936.
The couple chose Wednesday because Garnet,
who was a shift worker at Oshawa’s GM
plant, was on weekends. The two got married
in a pastor’s private home at noon.
Garnet returned to work immediately thereafter
to complete his shift.
There was no official honeymoon, says Vi.
The two started a family, raising daughters
Linda and Susan along with two nephews. They
also adopted a child with special needs.
The couple lived on a farm in Oshawa, and
bred race horses, says Vi, along with other
animals. A tight-knit group, the family would
convene for hot meals at both lunch and dinner.
“Even though he was easygoing,”
says Vi, “he was also very protective
of his family.” Helen and Garnet have
four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
During the celebratory lunch, Helen and Garnet
joked and chatted about their history, changing
times, and raising racehorses.
“It was just wonderful,” says
Vi.
A larger celebration with extended family
and friends is set for Saturday.
