Contactless 76th anniversary was touching, nonetheless

Love finds a way: Harry and Dorothy Clewett celebrate their 76th wedding anniversary despite restrictions.

Palmwoods couple Harry and Dorothy Clewett celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary through a doorway last week due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Estia Health helped make the most of an unfortunate circumstance and set up Harry in his room looking out at Dorothy, 94, who enjoyed her dinner outside. 

“Unfortunately this year the celebration couldn’t be so big as Dad is living in the aged care facility and Mum still lives at home. So they are not able to celebrate in the same room,” said daughter Gail Seville. 

“But the home has been amazing with the care and respect to helping the two of them celebrate another milestone anniversary.

“Staff decorated a doorway with streamers and balloons and then placed a long table in the middle so that Dad sat one end and Mum sat the other end and we placed the cake in the middle. 

“So they ate together but were separated with enough distance to maintain safety.

“Dad’s request was for steak and kidney pie with mashed potato laced with raw onion. His absolute favourite meal. So it was a very successful day.”

It was the second major celebration of the year for Harry who also marked his 100th birthday at Nambour RSL with close to 80 friends and relatives. 

“Luckily that was before COVID-19 shut everything down,” said Gail.

The couple was married in 1944 on May 13. It was a quick wedding while Harry was on leave from the Army. 

“Dorothy kept the home fires burning while Harry was in the Army during the war years,” said Gail.

“And after the war finished, Harry built the family a home and began a new life as an orchardist in Grose Vale in NSW.”

They have three boys and a girl, seven grand-children and nine great-grandchildren. Dorothy still lives in Palmwoods and is a member of Palmwoods Bowls Club.