Long time Wallington residents, 90 year old retired Squadron Leader Frank Hawthorne and his 93 year old wife Jennie, celebrate 70 years of marriage this week.They married on 12 October 1940 at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Hereford and have lived in Wallington since the World War 2. . The Queen is sending the happy couple a message of congratulations on their platinum anniversary.
After retiring from the Royal Air Force, Frank was for many years a senior lecturer in maths and computing at Merton Technical College in Morden. Jennie was also a senior lecturer in economics at South West London College in Tooting as well as being an author of 20 books, including East End Memories and How to Meet your Match which featured on the Richard and Judy show.
They have seven children, twelve grandchildren and seven great grand children.
Their secret for a happy marriage: “always kiss and make up by sundown.”
Jennie and Frank are celebrating their platinum anniversary in style with a celebration lunch at the Lanesborough Hotel on 16 October and a weekend at the Grand Hotel, in Eastbourne.
Based on information supplied by Stephanie Hawthorne.
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