Mercy Health’s Far North Queensland residential aged care home Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem) has romance in the air this Valentine’s Day, with four residents ― two couples ― celebrating their love and loyalty over what amounts to a combined century.
Seniors 92-year-old John Mark and his 88-year-old wife Bernice, alongside born and bred Cairns locals Patricia and Pete Hayes, who were married at Saint Monica’s Cathedral in December 1954, have had different personal journeys but will all celebrate Valentine’s Day, as both couples have done for many decades.
Residents John and Bernice Mark, who moved into Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem) last year, met for the first time in 1990 when they were both widowed. It was their golfing friends who intuitively elected to introduce the pair over dinner.
“We were pretty much set up by our friends but when we met, we immediately clicked and after six months we were married,” says John, who was born in Mareeba in Far North Queensland. “That six months felt like a long time, it was torture waiting for her to say yes, but eventually she did, and we’ve been together ever since.”
And their secret for a happy marriage? “I’d say our happy union has centred on having shared sporting interests and always being true to each other,” says Bernice.
That sentiment is echoed by Patricia and Pete Hayes who met in the early 1950s when they were both working at Cairns District Hospital ― Pete as a dental mechanic and Patricia as a dental nurse.
“It wasn’t a very romantic proposal,” Patricia laughs. “Pete asked me if I’d like a new job which included making three meals a day, and my immediate reaction was no. But then, he went away for a while and I realised I missed him terribly, so when he came back I said ‘if that job’s still going, I’ll take it for $2 a week,” and that was that.
“That was almost 70 years ago now, so I guess I made a pretty good decision because we’re still here and together.”
Mercy Place Cairns (Bethlehem) General Manager Precinct Zubair Coovadia says both couples epitomise what Valentine’s Day is about ― having true commitment and respect for each other, as well as love.
“Both Patricia and Pete, and Bernice and John, remain devoted to each other after decades of marriage, and it is wonderful to see,” Zubair says.
“We will be making Valentine’s Day extra special this year, as we celebrate both couples and their continuing love for each other, as well as ensuring all of our residents can take a trip down memory lane to reminisce about the true loves in their own lives.”
Last reviewed February 14, 2023.
