Torquay couple has inspiring wedding rerun after 50 years of love

A Torquay couple retied the knot after fifty years of marriage with a special vow renewal ceremony at Lorna House Care Home in Babbacombe.

Despite Marita and John Hanson being married for half a century, Marita’s dementia has taken away her memories of her first wedding day. So Marita’s husband and daughter Victoria had the idea of giving her another at the care home on Saturday (July 13).

“What a beautiful day,” said Victoria Hanson Hughes, the couple’s only daughter.

“The owners, managers and staff went all out to make it an amazing day. I also had wonderful support from friends and family to make it a day of love, emotions and smiles all around. From holding the ceremony, to making the beautiful cake, taking all the photographs, helping with planning and saying some very touching words, I'd like to thank them all.”

Now aged 73, Marita Hanson was just 65 when she was diagnosed with early dementia but she has lived and continues to live a happy and love-filled life. John and Marita have known each other since childhood. Both growing up in Stevenage, John’s sister was initially friends with Marita. The first time they laid eyes on each other, John was just ten years old.

After Marita and her family spent time living in Zambia, the couple were reunited in their late teens.

“That’s when mum realised she fancied my dad, I think,” said Victoria.

“She mentioned it to a friend who set them up for the Valentine's Ball. They started dating soon after that.”

Marriage came soon after, partly spurred on by Marita’s disapproving mother.

John and Marita moved to Torquay in the early 80s, having Victoria just before, in 1978. Soon after, John started Torquay’s first tree surgery business while Marita did a variety of jobs, including being John’s secretary.

Victoria said: “I had a very happy life growing up.

“My parents loved each other very much and they worked hard to provide for me. They were the best parents you could ever wish for and still are. It's just a shame that dementia and illness have gotten in the way of their retirement.”

Sadly, both John and Marita are now in poor health. Marita was diagnosed with early dementia while 69-year-old John has a condition similar to Parkinson’s, but this hasn’t stopped them from having their 50th anniversary wedding.

Held at Lorna House Care Home, Marita and John got married for the second time in 50 years, surrounded by friends, family and Lorna House staff and residents.

Victoria said: “It all went so smoothly and everyone involved had a great day, the residents all dressed for the occasion with fascinators in their hair and smiles from cheek to cheek.

“Thank you so much Lorna House, I can’t sing their praises highly enough.”

Lorna House added: “Thanks a lot for giving us a chance to host this remarkable event.  It's so lovely to see the happiness on each and every person’s face. We hope we have done the wedding justice. We, as a team, do not leave any chance to celebrate and we stand together to deliver outstanding care and happiness to all our residents.”