A GREENOCK couple who recently marked six wonderful decades of marriage say communication is the key to a long-lasting relationship.

Gerry and Maureen Quigley celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last month surrounded by friends and family at Greenock Wanderers’ Fort Matilda clubhouse.

The couple, who both hail from Greenock, met in 1960 at the Cragburn Pavilion in Gourock and later married at St Mary’s in Greenock.

When the pair first met, Maureen was working as a nurse, and Gerry was just starting out as a young architect.

Gerry and Maureen Quigley with their family. (Image: Duncan Bryceland)

After returning from their honeymoon in Spain, the couple settled down in Greenock, where they would have seven children - Kevin, Lynn, Graeme, Brian, Dominic, Peter and Paul.

Gerry told the Tele: “We’ve had a joyful journey since with many friends, and we’re delighted that the good Lord decided we could stay here for 60 years.

“We’ve had a very happy life. We have seven wonderful children and we’re very proud of them.

“It’s great that we can appreciate them as our friends as well as our children in later life.

“We’re sorry our son Paul, who tragically died at the start of Covid, is not with us, but he’s in our thoughts.

“It’s a lovely occasion to have everyone together for.”

Gerry and Maureen’s children and grandchildren were among the people who came from across the globe to mark their anniversary at the end of last month.

The duo enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Fort Matilda surrounded by their loved ones, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Australia or Canada.

Speaking to the Tele about their long and happy relationship, Gerry and Maureen said that the key had been to always keep communicating with each other.  

Gerry added: “The secret is that we always talk to each other. We keep it going and we don’t allow silence to develop into rifts, as can happen.

“We’ve had a very happy and successful life, and the number of friends we have is incredible.

“Now in our ‘late youth’ we’re continuing to be active. We’re both exuberant members of Fort Matilda Bowling Club and we’ve made many dear friends, which is a way to keep young.

“We’ve been here on Octavia Terrace ever since we moved in 1970, and we’ll be here until the end of our days, hopefully.”