Couple takes us on the journey of marriage
[caption id="attachment_38980" align="alignright" width="605"] THEN (left): Tony Bradley married Jo Gallagher 60 years ago. NOW: Tony and Jo Bradley celebrated their 60th anniversary last month[/caption]
EUROPEAN-born couple, Jo, 82, and Tony Bradley, 84, who now live in Miramar celebrated their 60th anniversary last month, saying their love has seen them grow from country to country.
Tony, a retired medical doctor originally from Britain, met his Irish wife, Jo when she was a student nurse during their internships at the then Dr Steevens' Hospital in Dublin.
Today the hospital is known as an administrative centre for the Health Service Executive.
"There were a mischievous lot of them, so I can be glad I chose the right one!" recalled Jo.
Convinced it had to be the nurse's smile that swept him off his feet those many years ago Tony said: "my wife had such a beautiful smile... she still does!"
Over the 24 years of Tony's career, his work had required him to travel to various countries, taking his family with him.
Before the permanent move to South Africa, the Bradleys have lived in Wales, Holland, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
"The first country we relocated to was Holland. Tony was placed in the military there where he did his national service," Jo recalled.
Upon receiving the news that he would be relocating to the Netherlands, Tony decided to marry his "love", as he so fondly calls Jo.
"Well, she wouldn't let me go alone!" he quipped.
The young Jo Gallagher married her husband at intimate ceremony on June 15 1954.
"About 80 friends and family, mostly family attended," they said.
Although the pair struggled to remember the exact venue of their reception, they said their wedding ceremony was held at the St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
Jo, who, by this stage of the interview, had asked for a break and sat on their bed reminisced: "Tony was such a fun and loving person during those days. We shared a common sense of humour, I think that's why our marriage has lasted this long."
[caption id="attachment_38980" align="alignright" width="605"] THEN (left): Tony Bradley married Jo Gallagher 60 years ago. NOW: Tony and Jo Bradley celebrated their 60th anniversary last month[/caption]
The Bradleys who have now lived in South Africa for about 34 years, remembered how they used to play golf together, and card games with their children.
Jo opted to stop working as a nurse when the couple started their own family.
"We have five children and 12 grandchildren," she said.
Tony's dedication to his work and looking after the sickly in so many countries, especially in rural areas, through the years has been one of the many qualities Jo most cherishes about her husband, she said.
"He was a good provider for our children, who all have university degrees."
Since Jo has been battling with her health for the past two years she has not been able to do much physical activity. But Tony occasionally walks their 14-year-old cross breed Jack Russell dog around Schoenmakerskop. - Balisa Ntloko
