Tom Gillespie, a Resident at HC-One’s Chapel Level Care Home in Kirkcaldy, celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary at the home with his beloved wife Mary, surrounded by friends and family.
Mary was born in Dysart in 1929 and Tom was born on McKenzie Street, Kirkcaldy in 1927, he will celebrate his 92nd birthday on 23rd December 2018.
As part of the Black Watch, Tom stayed in Greece for 3 years and he was on home leave when he met Mary in 1946 at The Burma Ballroom.
They married on 27th November 1948 in Law Studio in Mid Street Kirkcaldy Community Hall and Mary borrowed her dress from her next-door neighbour due to ration books; they went on to have two children, Ian in 1952 and Betty in 1949 and are now proud great-grandparents to Adam, Hannah and Sarah.
Prior to retiring, Mary worked as an Office Manager at BHS before she retired in 1986. Tom, after the Black Watch, worked for Barry Ostlere and Shepherd and in later years, he was a self-employed Credit Sales Man.
Both Mary and Tom enjoyed ballroom dancing, bowls and holiday’s in Jersey, as well as visiting Blackpool and York. Tom was also a keen golf and snooker player whilst Mary took part in knitting and bingo.
Mary commented on their secret to a long marriage being:
“A lot of give and take, can’t believe it’s been 70 years!”
Sarah Fowler, Home Manager at Chapel Level, commented:
“What a fantastic day, it was so lovely to be a part of Tom and Mary’s celebrations.
Happy 70th wedding anniversary to a fantastic couple!”