Newspaper Article 2007 – Humour keeps marriage strong

HUMOUR KEEPS MARRIAGE STRONG

Meeting Angus and Kathleen Robertson for the first time, one would never suspect the Hastings couple were celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary this month.

They look at each other as though they’ve just met and share jokes only they understand.

Angus McDougall and Kathleen Georgina, who are 85 and 86 respectively, met in their native Scotland and married a few years later in 1943.

“It was love at first sight,” Angus says.  “Just after we met I had to go away with the army so we got married when I got back.”

The couple subsequently had seven children and followed Angus’ parents to New Zealand in 1954 where Angus worked at Hawke’s Bay Farmers as a commercial cleaner, while Kathleen worked at home looking after the children.

Fifty-three years on, they now have 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, who helped them celebrate the milestone on July 23 along with other friends and family.

So what’s the secret to such a long and happy marriage?

“A good sense of humour of course,” Angus says.

Photo caption – Angus and Kathleen Robertson.