Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 06, 2014 News
Being married for 63 years is indeed a long time, in fact for some, it obviously can be regarded as a lifetime. It is therefore safe to say that being married for that long is an incredible achievement, especially when taking into consideration the high instances of divorce that continue to be recorded both domestically and internationally.
For the Walcotts of Queenstown, Essequibo, 63 years of wedded bliss is their hallmark achievement. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
I sat down with the love birds and asked them what is the secret to the longevity of their marriage.
Love was and still remains the critical component that continues to sustain the Walcott’s marriage. The couple, who are the oldest residents of Queenstown Village, successfully nurtured that young love which they found 63 years ago into a mature and stable union with the constant guidance, not singlehandedly but with the support they would have garnered from their parents while they were still alive.
“My parents and Kenneth’s played a special part in our marriage from the very beginning.”
“We met when I was just 17 years,” Eunice Walcott confided with a shy look in her eyes. “Kenneth was a disciplined and hard working young man. I was drawn to his outstanding personality.”
The Walcott’s tied the knot when Eunice was just 17 and Kenneth was 25 years old.
Back then, Eunice, who now 79, had just completed her education at the then St. Barth’s School in Queenstown.
Her husband was a handsome, matured, devoted choir boy. In fact both Eunice and Kenneth were in the same choir. They actually lived a street away from each other in Queenstown and they attended the St. Bartholemew church, the oldest Anglican Church in the Region.
Their relationship began when Eunice and Kenneth Walcott would catch up on friendly conversations after church. While the then young friends conversed frequently, Kenneth showed his intentions when he became a frequent visitor to Eunice’s home.
One thing led to another and the relationship quickly blossomed.
Eunice said her parents admired Kenneth because he was a hard working and disciplined young man, so when she got pregnant, the decision to get married was greeted with understanding from her parents, although she was not prepared to venture into married life.
Today upon reflecting, Eunice believes that her parents and in-laws’ decision to marry them at a young age had certainly worked in their interest.
She explained that after her parents and in-laws died, she and her husband were still able to stay together that long because of their love for each other and God’s guidance. She said that as a couple, she and her husband were able to work through challenges and remained committed to their union simply because of love.
But there were some hiccups in the marriage but these were soon ironed out because of undying love.
“Nothing comes above love. Once I had opted to leave our marriage after I found out that my husband was cheating but when my husband saw my suitcase packed, he exclaimed, “I didn’t get married to leave you!’”
Eunice and her husband Kenneth continue to embrace their towering love for each other, which they confessed remains today as healthy as when the first experienced that first spark.
“In the evenings, I would take my husband, who is not physically healthy for afternoon walks in the street.”
The Walcott’s celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in March, 2014.
From their union, 12 children were born, however 10 are still alive today.
The oldest is 63-years old while the youngest 43.
The couple lived for a period in the United States of America but remigrated to Guyana where they are currently being taken care of by their youngest daughter.
Eighty eight year-old Kenneth Walcott worked at Mon Repos and the TIPS and Eunice stayed at home and took care of her children, most of whom now reside in the United States.
Eunice is advising couples in general to listen to their hearts. She is also advising young women to choose a man who exhibits politeness and who is very straightforward.
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