Sixty years ago, John and Jen Cruickshank said “I do” in what is believed to be the oldest wooden church in the world. This March, they marked their diamond wedding anniversary not only with a celebration of enduring love and adventure but with a personal letter from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
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Now, residents of Thornhill Manor Retirement Village in Modderfontein, the couple have lived a life shaped by travel, nature, and unwavering partnership.
Their story began at the University of Cape Town, where they met as students after both families emigrated from the UK to South Africa following World War II. After graduation, Jen returned to London to qualify as a physiotherapist, and John followed to build his career in insurance. They were married on 25 March 1965 at St Andrew’s Church in Greensted, a historic English chapel dating back to around 845 AD.
From road trips to royal surprises
Over the decades, John and Jen have lived in both South Africa and the UK, raising a family and embracing a lifestyle rooted in exploration. A standout journey in 2006 saw them spend nine weeks caravanning across Botswana and Namibia, eventually reaching Cape Town. Along the way, they tackled off-grid camping, battery troubles, and wide-open landscapes.
Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, their sense of adventure didn’t wane. Instead of staying indoors, they pitched a tent in their garden to simulate the thrill of travel. It was their way of “shaking off cabin fever” and proving that the spirit of adventure doesn’t have to stop at the front door.
Now in their 80s, the couple still take regular walks in the nearby Modderfontein conservation reserve — a place John has helped map with walking trails — and spend evenings around their firepit, sharing wine and conversation with neighbours.
‘For better or worse, work as a team’
Asked about the secret to a lasting marriage, their advice is simple: “Hang in there. For better and for worse. Work together, give and take, and enjoy life as a team.”
It’s a sentiment that’s carried them through six decades of marriage, family, and community life. Their relationship remains grounded in shared interests, mutual respect, and a love for the outdoors — whether hiking with grandchildren or hosting neighbourhood street parties.
They’re also key figures at Thornhill Manor. Jen, a former physiotherapist for Rand Aid, played a role in setting up physio departments at local retirement villages and still leads water aerobics sessions. She also crafts recycled greeting cards for residents. John is known for gathering people around his backyard firepit on summer nights — an informal tradition that’s helped build community spirit in the village.
A royal honour – and a daughter’s secret mission
Their 60th anniversary was made even more memorable by a congratulatory letter from Buckingham Palace. The royal message, signed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, arrived via courier just before Easter — the result of more than a year of quiet planning by their daughter.
Gathering the necessary documents and adhering to royal protocol took time and persistence, but the surprise was worth it. The couple were, in their words, “gobsmacked” by the gesture.
It was a fitting tribute to a couple whose journey — from post-war England to the Southern Hemisphere, from the university campus to conservation paths — has been marked by resilience, love, and quiet adventure.
Diamond days still shining
Now 22 years into retirement at Thornhill Manor, John and Jen remain pillars of their community and an example of how love, when nurtured with shared purpose and mutual respect, can last a lifetime.
As one friend put it during their anniversary celebration: “They’ve shown us that marriage isn’t just about grand moments — it’s about showing up for each other, day after day, year after year.”
And after 60 years together, that might just be the greatest adventure of all.
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