SEVENTY-THREE years of marriage is a rare and remarkable milestone, and John and Jean Hodge’s story feels as though it is drawn from another time, when dances mattered, promises were kept, and love arrived with a simple question: “May I have this dance?”
It was December 1950 at the Town City Dance in Newcastle when John first saw Jean.
He was standing on the balcony, looking down at the dancers below, when she caught his eye, wearing a white frock, out with the girls and completely unaware that her life was about to change.
For John, it was love at first sight.
He made his way downstairs, asked her to dance, and one song quickly became many.
By the final dance of the night, John asked if he could take her home.
Jean hesitated, as she was with the girls, but John had a car, and that was enough.
The journey even included a punt crossing the river, a small adventure that marked the beginning of a lifelong chapter.
Jean grew up in Stockton and John at Merewether Beach.
Although Jean worried about what her parents would think, John did things properly.
He asked her Father for her hand in marriage and received his blessing.
They were married at St Andrew’s Church in Newcastle, beginning a partnership that would span decades.
John, born 16 July 1929, devoted his working life to education.
He began teaching maths and science at Drummoyne Junior High School before moving to Newcastle Boys High School.
His career later took him to Wauchope High School as Head Teacher of Mathematics, then Deputy Principal and Principal.
He went on to serve as Principal at Leeton High School and Morisset High School before retiring at 57.
Jean, born 19 October 1931, built a life rich in creativity and community.
She was a founding member of the Port Macquarie Arts and Crafts group and spent years immersed in quilting, patchwork, painting and craft.
Together they raised four children and settled in the Camden Haven area in the late 1980s.
They spent 28 years at Peach Grove, Laurieton, before downsizing to Kew, where they celebrate ten years this year.
When asked the secret to their long marriage, Jean said, “We don’t have many fights”.
“We manage all right, we must, because we’re still together.”
73 years on, theirs is a story of love that endured, adapted and flourished.
By Chantelle ANSELL
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
