Seventy years is a long time to be married, but for Shirley and Cecil ‘Jack’ Walker it’s been seven decades of love and happiness.
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The couple, who live at Benhome Aged Care, will celebrate the rare platinum milestone on Wednesday.
The Walkers were wed in St Paul’s, Maitland, which is now home to a preschool.
The pair met and became smitten when Jack was a bus conductor and Shirley travelled on the bus.
“We started to chat,” Jack said with a laugh.
The pair had three children – Cheryl and twins Phillip and Lyn.
The foundation of their relationship has been supporting one another. Shirley recalled being in bed next to Jack nursing a twin each when they were babies. She also said when Jack used to have a bread delivery run, she would jump in a truck to help him on busy days.
“We just try to help each other,” she said.
They now have six grandchildren and a handful of great-grandchildren. They will celebrate their anniversary surrounded by family this Sunday.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
