Couple of 92-year-olds 'the complete package'

Ted and Doris Lloyd celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary today. Daughter Robyn Townsend said...
Ted and Doris Lloyd celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary today. Daughter Robyn Townsend said they can only operate as a team. Photo by Craig Baxter.

The secret to a long marriage is to "put one foot in front of the other", says Doris Lloyd.

She and husband Ted Lloyd, both 92, have been married for 72 years today.

They are modest about their lengthy relationship but place some credit in their shared love of sport.

"We've always been mad on sport," Mrs Lloyd said.

Daughter Robyn Townsend credits her parents' marriage to similar interests and humour.

"They always did everything together, even fishing ...

"They both have brilliant senses of humour and they did argue. Mum was actually quite feisty, but it was never malicious."

Mrs Lloyd said: "Any couple that goes through life not disagreeing would have a pretty boring life."

Mr and Mrs Lloyd met at a Scottish dance in 1937 when they were 18 but Mr Lloyd had had his eye on her for a bit longer than that.

"I was driving along the main street of Balclutha and noticed this female mowing the lawns in a pair of red slacks and I thought she looked pretty nice," he said.

"Then I went to the dance and she was there."

The couple got married in Balclutha then moved to Clinton for two years before returning to Balclutha, where Mrs Lloyd was the first woman elected to the Balclutha Borough Council.

The couple had nine children and have 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

"They've spread out all over the world and all are high achievers," Mrs Townsend said.

Mr Lloyd has limited vision.

"Together they are the complete package. He has the legs and she has the eyes," Mrs Townsend said.

Mrs Lloyd reads the Otago Daily Times to her husband every morning.

They have been subscribers since they got married.

"It goes much further than that," Mrs Lloyd said.

"We were brought up on the ODT. Dad was the South Otago journalist for the ODT. Our kids were also brought up on it."

During their time together they have seen many things change in society.

Mrs Lloyd said she got her driver's licence from the dog ranger and did her test while Mr Lloyd sat in the back seat telling her when to change gears.

Mr Lloyd got his licence from the grocer.

New technology was also a challenge for the Lloyds.

"It took me a long time to learn to use the microwave," Mrs Lloyd said.

 

 

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