Celebrating 69 years of love and family
Belvedere Aged Care celebrates Frank and Shirley’s 69 years of love, family and resilience — a story that continues to inspire generations.
Belvedere residents Frank and Shirley celebrate 69 years of marriage.
In 1952, a simple family connection sparked a love story that has lasted nearly seven decades. Frank had just returned from his Army deployment when one evening he crossed paths with Shirley, who was accompanying her brother to pick up Frank’s sister. In that instant, Frank knew. With conviction, he told Shirley, “I can imagine you as my wife.” Shirley, ever practical, responded with a laugh and a gentle, “You’ll get over it.”
But Frank didn’t. Over the next six months, he courted Shirley with quiet persistence. He showed up, he listened, and he made his intentions clear. Shirley found herself talking often about him to her mother, who warmly encouraged her daughter to say “yes” to this young man with such a steady heart.
By the time they were 20, Shirley agreed. Three years later, Frank and Shirley were married. Together, they bought a block of land, built their first home, and laid the foundations of a life that would be filled with family, laughter, and countless shared memories.
Now, 69 years on, their love story is woven into the lives of their 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren! Their journey is not only about the home they built with their own hands but also about the values they passed down: resilience, loyalty, humour, and above all, love.
Frank and Shirley’s story reminds us that love is not always about grand gestures. It is about standing by each other through time, growing together, and creating a legacy of family. As they celebrate 69 years of marriage, their bond is a shining example of what it means to choose each other, every single day.
Happy Anniversary, Frank and Shirley. Your love continues to inspire us all.
