By Annie Stewart
A GREYABBEY couple have celebrated their sapphire wedding anniversary.
Derrick and Jean Murray celebrated their 65th anniversary last week with a celebration at Mount Stewart with their immediate family.
The couple met ‘by chance’ when Jean was over on holiday which began their friendship, although the pair didn’t officially get together for another few years.
“My girlfriend and I were over on holiday and we were walking along Queen’s Parade and these two young men ran across to us and said ‘good evening ladies’,” said Jean.
“And I said it’s time wee boys were in bed and they sort of tagged along behind us.”
The foursome went on a drive to Donaghadee and that began their friendship. Several years later, Jean was working as a GP when one of the night staff said that someone called Derrick from Ireland was trying to get in touch with her.
“That started it all over again, and for my sins here I am, a very tolerant wife.”
Jean (88) joked that a ‘good natured wife’ is the secret to a happy marriage.
“It’s hard work and people say we’ve never had a cross word but that’s a fib. Everybody is an individual and as long as you’re not too strong about it. It’s all about compromise.”
The couple were married in Kilbirnie Gospel Hall, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire on September 26, 1959, and went on to expand their family with their son Keith and daughter Anne.
They have a total of six grandchildren, Keith’s daughters Jessica and Ellice, and Anne’s children, Fiona, Mark, Christopher and Emma.
Derrick, who has just turned 90, was a fireman in Bangor for 34 years and they moved to Greyabbey in 1999 when he retired.
The couple visit Mount Stewart everyday, no matter the weather, saying it does their mental health a ‘world of good’ and is good exercise.
Last Thursday the couple celebrated their anniversary with their family at the picturesque National Trust estate.
“Mum and dad’s wee celebration was just my brother, myself and three of my children (all adults now),” said their daughter, Anne.
“The staff in Mount Stewart know them very well and in fact they have had a plaque made “Reserved for Jean and Derrick” which sits on their favourite table until they’ve been in for morning coffee.”
