A celebration of a 60 year love story brings back the memories for Margaret and Howard at Woodland Grove

A celebration of a 60 year love story brings back the memories for Margaret and Howard at Woodland Grove

Woodland Grove Care Home recreated the feel of a wedding reception to help take resident, Howard Whitehead, back to his wedding day, 60 years ago.

He and wife Margaret were seated at the ‘top table’ in the dining room at Woodland Grove care home as they celebrated their 60^th anniversary with friends, family and fellow residents.

“It was absolutely fantastic!” said Margaret.  “The staff had photos of our wedding at St Peter and St Paul’s in Waltham Forest and as well as reminding us of such a happy day, they created lovely new memories.”

Howard moved onto the memory care floor two years ago having developed dementia and Margaret said the anniversary celebrations were a wonderful way of connecting him to their past.

“We met at a youth club in Chingford as teenagers, and we just gelled.  We were both part of a group of friends.  He was on my bus home one night and it was just to be with me, it wasn’t his route!

“His proposal doesn’t really stick in my mind, but we got married when I was 19 and he was 21.”

The couple went on to have two daughters and three grandchildren.  Margaret says the secret to 60 years of happy marriage is compatibility.

Because of Howard’s love of music, staff at Woodland Grove arranged for an Elvis impersonator to entertain friends and family at the party.  They also made sure the couple had a card of congratulations from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

“It was absolutely our pleasure to do this for Howard and Margaret,” said Lifestyles Manager Michela Volpe. “It was a chance to reconnect them to a special day in their lives but also for us to celebrate where they are now, and the family and friends.” And Margaret agreed.

“Howard says very little but I know the party was a lovely time for him, he knew it was special” said Margaret.  “There were flowers, balloons and the staff had made a beautiful cake.

“I really feel like it’s a family at Woodland Grove.  They made lovely memories for me.”

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