Love is in the air

14 Mar 2016

In honour of Valentine’s Day, we share the stories of Probus members who found romance in their clubs.

When Harry met Iris

Harry Evans and Iris Pyke, Enfield Probus Club, SA

 

Iris: “Harry has been a member of Enfield Probus club since October 2006 and I became a member in May 2007. We acknowledged each other as members. When I discovered that Harry’s wife had died, I threw my arms around his neck and told him how dreadfully sorry I was about what had happened.

Not long after that, we had a letter from a coach company saying that they would like to take representatives from our club to Mount Lofty Botanic Park in Adelaide. Harry and I sat together on the coach. I had a tremor and he looked after me when we were having a cup of tea – he was very attentive.

Harry has had a big impact on my life, frankly, because I’ve had two falls and he has come to my rescue on each occasion. One of the falls happened in winter. Harry was sitting in my house at the time that I fell. I yelled out for help and he came to my rescue. Then he came to the hospital and stayed with me.

Our club accepted our relationship when they found out. One of our other members got married and at the ceremony, one of the women turned to me and said ‘I suppose you and Harry will be next’. But at 85 and 83, we just want good companionship.

My romantic advice to other Probians is to just take it as it comes. You’re already putting yourself out there because you joined Probus in the first place. If you meet someone and it turns into a friendship and that turns into more than friendship, just go along with it.”

Harry: “After my wife died, I was lonely. I was looking for company and Iris fit what I was looking for. She’s lost two husbands so she knew what I was going through. She made my day when I first met her and she’s been making it ever since. I’m in love again! She looks after me. That’s what I like.

My first wife Mary was my life. I didn’t know what to expect when she died. After a death in the family, you get downhearted. Iris was a shining light in my life at that time.

I say that if the cap fits, you wear it. There are a lot of men and women at our club as we are a combined Probus. If a lady and a man get along, I see no reason why they shouldn’t just be together.” 

Another chance at love

 “I joined Probus 20 years ago after my second husband died. I’m now a life member. I’ve been President three times and I was President when Arthur and I got married. 

Arthur used to drive me mad as he always interjected at meetings. But one year, when I came back from an overseas trip, I found out that his wife had sadly died.

Later, we were both invited to the Hunter’s Hill Mayoral Ball. We danced all night. Afterwards, we invited each other out to each other’s birthdays and we became friends. We were married for nearly eight years. We were very lucky to find each other.

Arthur was always a beautifully dressed man. He had a fabulous sense of humour and was always wonderful at the meetings – he always had some quip to make. We entertained quite a bit and we’d go to the movies and Probus activities, too. Basically, we led a normal married life.

We were the first members in our club to get married. There hasn’t been anyone married since and that was 16 years ago. When we told our club we were getting married, they were very excited and presented me with beautiful flowers. On the wedding day, the church was absolutely full of Probus members.

Our wedding photo was on the cover of the Probus magazine at the time, which was very nice. Our President sent the photo in and we didn’t know anything about it. It was a photo of us walking into the church. For me, Probus was a life changer. I would recommend Probus for friendships and if  you by chance meet someone  you could fall in love with, it’s a wonderful thing.”

A change in direction

Trevor and Sheila Russ, Flagstaff Hill Probus Club, SA

 

Trevor: “I was President of the Flagstaff Hill Men’s Probus Club from 2005-2006. At the same time, my then wife, Lois, was President of the ladies club. After Lois and I finished our year of presidency, my now wife Sheila became President of the ladies club and Lois and Sheila became friends.

Lois passed away in 2011. I had a number of friends who would check on me to make sure I was okay and Sheila was one of them. Sheila supported me, but our friendship eventually took another interesting direction.

When you lose your wife or partner – and Lois and I were married for 50 years – you begin to wonder where life is going to take you. You do not have any expectations, really.

Sheila and I were walking on the beach one afternoon and it started raining. I put my umbrella up and she put her arm through mine and I thought ‘Wow, this is pretty special’. We started seeing more of each other and the rest is history.

We got to the point in March 2014 when we thought it would be nice to marry. We had a wedding with mostly family and a few close friends at the local golf course. We followed that with a honeymoon on the North Island in New Zealand.

Sheila’s a fun-loving person and she is a fantastic addition to my life. I had never believed that one could feel like this at my stage of life.”

Sheila: “I was very friendly with Lois and there were times when Trevor and Lois invited me out with them. Trevor was my friend as well. When Lois passed away, we were both upset. We comforted each other.

Lois and I did Meals on Wheels together for three years. Trevor would fill in for Lois and I if we couldn’t make it. After Lois passed away, Trevor took it on. The first time we did the route together was Trevor’s birthday and I took him for lunch afterwards. Still to this day, we always go for lunch after we’ve done a shift at Meals.

When did I realise it was more? Maybe it was that moment when he put his umbrella up for me. The funny thing is that it was quite innocent. I suppose the friendship just got stronger. We got married on 23 March in 2014. I would trust Trevor with my life. He’s kind, generous, thoughtful, loyal – that’s Trevor.” 

I do, I do, I do

Who knew that Probus could inspire fun, friendship and flirtation among its members? Here are a few Probians from around the country who fell in love during retirement. 

Lloyd and Bev Margetts

Stan Fields and Cherry Alty

Simon and Lyn Webb