Athy couple celebrate rare 65th wedding anniversary
Shirley and Tom Yates with their children Bruce and Sandra
FAMILY and close friends gathered recently for the 65th wedding anniversary of Shirley and Tom Yates in Athy.
It is a remarkable milestone, known as the blue sapphire wedding anniversary. The couple attended a service at St Michael’s Church of Ireland conducted by Rev Conor O’Reilly before heading to the Clanard Court Hotel in Athy on 27 July.
The event took place 65 years to the day of their wedding at Manor Hamilton Parish Church in Co Leitrim in 1960.
Shirley was originally from Leitrim but was working in Shaw’s when she met Tom, a local farmer from Grangemellon House.
Love bloomed for the couple and they went on to have three children, Sandra, Bruce and James and are now proud grandparents to Andrew, Rebecca, Sarah and Elizabeth.
Their marriage has continued loving one.
“Dad is Mum’s rock, Mum is his diamond,” said Bruce.
Tom, who would be known to many for his work with Inland Waterways, IFA and local groups, is still a romantic at heart, buying a pair of blue sapphire earrings for Shirley.
Tom also marked his 91st birthday on the day.
It was a great occasion, and Bruce said it was an honour to celebrate the anniversary of his two wonderful parents.
