50 NOT OUT: Gwendolyn and Wilfred Bennett from York Street District, St. Catherine. - Ian AllenBy David Dunkley, Staff Reporter
GWENDOLYN and Wilfred Bennett have been married for more than 50 years. It is no surprise then that they would gladly jump at the chance to do it over again, if given the chance.
The couple from the district of York Street in Linstead, St. Catherine, say they would not have to think twice if this opportunity was to come their way.
"I would still marry to him, I already know his ways and he already knows mine," Gwendolyn, 72, said, sitting next to her 75-year-old husband.
"Oh yes, of course, I have a special love for her, she is a very hard working person," Wilfred added. "When we met I had nothing and she has been very kind to me."
The two grew up together in Time and Patience district in Linstead, St. Catherine, and even attended the same school. Wilfred recalled that it was during this time he fell for Gwendolyn. "I used to admire her and when I made my first approach she refused but as time went by I made another and she accepted," he said.
Wilfred said they began going out together until they decided the time was right to tie the knot. They exchanged wedding vows at the Ewarton Fourth Square Church (formerly the National Baptist Church) in Ewarton, St. Catherine in September 1950.
Mr. Bennett has been a farmer all his life. He has a field of oranges, coffee, sugar cane and other crops. While Wilfred takes to the field, Mrs. Bennett was more content staying at home and taking care of the children.
Both are members of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Time and Patience.
They are the proud parents of seven daughters and a son. They so far have 39 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
The couple says the secret to their staying together is tolerance of each other. "Teeth and tongue must meet, we have to know how to pacify things because we never married to separate, till death do us part so we always try and work it out," Wilfred pointed out.
They advise young couples planning to get married that in order to have a long lasting relationship, they must first learn to communicate with each other, always speak the truth at all times and be kind to one another.
"Don't allow anything to turn you away from the relationship," Gwendolyn said. "Whatever problems develop always try to get over them before the day is up and always put God first."
