Joy and Malcolm Sansom dance their way to 70 years of marriage

JOY and Malcolm Sansom’s remarkable romance reached a significant milestone on 30 April, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends. 

Their enduring love story traces back to their teenage years, first meeting at a barn dance in Raymond Terrace when they were both 16.
“We were both at the same barn dance when a song came on where you change partners,” explained Joy.

“All of a sudden I was standing in front of Malcolm.
“He was a nice clean cut young fella, as he had just come out of National Service and I thought to myself ‘he looks very nice’.

“He was a very good dance partner and he whispered to me [to ask] if I could keep the next dance for him.

“I did and I have been saving the next dance for him now for over 70 years.”

The couple exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony at Mayfield Uniting Church in 1955.

They were later blessed with the arrival of two children, Kim born 1959 and Colyn born 1962, with their family later extending to include three handsome grandsons and two great-grandsons.

In 1962 the young family moved to an acreage at Tomago, providing the opportunity for the children to grow up riding horses and motorbikes.

Later in life Joy and Malcom travelled to and fell in love with Laurieton, relocating to Lakewood in 1999.

In 2018 they moved to the Queens Lake retirement village, where Joy still lives, however Malcolm now resides at Lakeside Nursing Home.

When discussing the secrets of a happy marriage, Joy emphasises the importance of “common interests with a little bit of give and take”.

“There are times when we have had differences but we respect each other’s opinion and agree to just disagree.”

Despite the physical distance that separates them today, Joy’s unwavering love and Malcolm’s enduring presence in her heart symbolise a love that transcends time and circumstance.

By Kim AMBROSE