Resident at MHA The Homestead celebrates 54th wedding anniversary with afternoon tea

A resident at MHA The Homestead celebrated her 54th wedding anniversary with an afternoon tea.

Sheila Margaret O'Dwyer is a resident the Carterton home and celebrated her 54th wedding anniversary to husband John Alphonsus O'Dwyer.

The couple met on the 26th of March 1968 at The Metropole Ballroom in Dublin and married in 1970 in the same city.

They have three children John, Tara and Bernadette and prior to Sheila moving into MHA The Homestead the couple lived in Witney and West Oxfordshire.

The home arranged for an afternoon tea for the couple with the kitchen staff preparing a selection of delicacies 

Speaking after the event John said: “ It was amazing, Kirsty and Chloe were the driving force but we know that all the staff played their part.

“The Homestead is superb from so many points of view.  All the staff are A1 in the caring and support that they provide.

“I feel that we are one family within The Homestead, the patients, the staff, relatives, and friends. We blend as one in the best interest of the patients. 

“Sheila is living with Alzheimer's but we are blessed that we have The Homestead to look after Sheila.  

“Sheila is precious and so loved by our family, our extended family and all who know Sheila.

“There are probably no set rules for a long marriage.  It varies from couple to couple.

“All I can add is that there should be a strong attraction from the start of the relationship, and as you get to know each other, the more you grow closer and closer together.  

“The cornerstone must be absolute trust, fairness, and sharing, combined with care and love in the relationship.

“I thank God every day for the 26th of March 1968.  That was the date of our first meeting in The Metropole Ballroom.  

“Life has been good to me, I have been blessed with Sheila.”