Newspaper Article 1999 – ‘Give and take’ for a happy marriage

‘Give and take’ for a happy marriage

Mrs Moffitt would not have been surprised if her baby arrived […]panied] her husband on his horse and cart while she was pregnant.

Back then it was a bumpy ride for someone in this “delicate” condition but because Mrs Moffitt had toxaemia she could not be left alone, said her husband Dan.

She endured the rides and she finally gave birth to a healthy son.

Getting married and having three healthy children has been among the highlights of a 60-year partnership for Dan and Lil Moffitt, Tamatea, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on Monday.

The couple met while both working at the Pacific Hotel in Hastings where Mrs Moffitt was a waitress and her husband-to-be a head porter.

They married in St Paul’s Church, Napier, on March 1, 1939.

Mr Moffitt, who delivered milk by horse and cart, remembers giving away free milk following the 1931 earthquake.

He had a varied career working as an office clerk, a farmer, a taxi driver and owning his own Napier service station back in the 1960s.

Mrs Moffitt worked with Rothmans for 15 years, a position from which she retired.

The couple believes “give and take and good communication skills” are among the recipes for a happy marriage.

Despite the fact they are now both in their 80s they kept relatively good health and live independently.

Mrs Moffitt still cooks daily meals and regularly fills her cake tins with freshly baked cookies.

The couple will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with family and friends over lunch at the Mission Winery, Greenmeadows.

Photo caption – Dan and Lil Moffitt.