70 years of marriage is a celebration not to be missed.
Ray, June and their proud family spent January 6 eating prawns, sipping their favorite “Whisky on Ice” while reminiscing on the couple’s incredible lifelong marriage.
Ray, a big cricket fan, received a video from Colin Munro, world’s fifth best T20I batsman and Perth Scorchers Big Bash League player.
Munro accoladed the couple for the last 70 years and wished them continued happiness, noting that “the boys would try to put a strong show on” during the home game falling on Ray & June’s anniversary.
Ray and June met in a Sydney ballroom dancing hall in 1949, June saw Ray from a distance and decided in that very moment that she’d like to know this young gentleman.
She asked her brother and chaperone Les, to approach Ray and invite him on June’s behalf to the debutant ball, he accepted, the romance began.
On January 6, 1951, Ray and June could no longer dance around their love for each other, tying the knot in Sydney.
The next decade brought the couple immense happiness, travel and outdoor adventures. Ray and June welcomed their two beautiful children and proudest achievements, Sue and Wayne into the world.
The Parsons were an outdoorsy family, on weekends they would drive to their humble weatherboard cabin in Copacabana in New South Wales-Central Coast, spending the days fishing and swimming. Wayne and Sue fondly recall these weekend trips as some of the happiest moments. Wayne said, “Mum and Dad gave us great childhood, if we weren’t spending the weekend at Copacabana, we would be at a picnic somewhere new”.
In 1972, after 17 years with Wattle Paints, Ray received a job offer to become West Australian State Manager.
Always up for an adventure, the family packed up their belongings and relocated to the West. June, a woman of many talents, played a large role in Ray’s career success, hosting exceptional dinner parties and BBQ’S for Wattle Paint clients.
She also had a passion for volunteering, helping Red Cross with the Meals on Wheels initiative for years.
A great passion of the couple was travelling, from Europe to America and many places in between.
Ray retired after 18 fulfilling years in his WA role, giving the couple more time to invest in their interests of international travel and history.
Ray at the same time resigned as a member of the Mosman Park Rotary Club after close on 20 years involvement in a range of fundraising activities.
Now grandparents to six children and great-grandparents of 14 children, the Matriarch and Patriarch take their roles seriously, imparting marital nuggets of wisdom.
June says, “marriage is about being able to get on, have shared interests and be agreeable” she paused and smiles, “most of the time”. Ray says the secret to a happy and long marriage is “the commitment through not only the good but also the bad”.
The 92-year-old also shared his wisdom on living past 90 years old. “Life is a conveyor belt, you’ve got to stay active and social, so that you don’t fall off too soon”. Ray was an avid table tennis fan, and played until his mid-80’s.
While June at 89 years old loved her yoga sessions and both were daily walkers to keep in shape.
Eldest child Sue takes comfort in the advice her parents have given her over the years “they gave us the teachings of how to bring up happy children with strong morals and values”.
Now residents at aged care home, Frank Prendergast House, June enjoys participating in exercise classes, creative art sessions and just about all other activities offered by the Southern Cross Care facility. Ray at the ripe age of 92, enjoys using his iPad for brain games, staying up to date with global happenings and watching the cricket.
At the end of each and every day, Ray and June watch the news together, chat and have a tipple at happy hour.