(Image: Supplied)
A County Durham couple have celebrated an "extraordinary" 65 years of marriage, marking their Blue Sapphire wedding anniversary with a special visit from the town's mayor.
Joseph and Kathleen Conroy, who have spent most of their lives in Ferryhill, were visited by the Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Curtis Bihari, on Wednesday (September 30).
Councillor Bihari presented Mrs Conroy with a bouquet of flowers and Mr Conroy with a whisky tumbler to mark the occasion.
He said: "I was very privileged to be there and share some happy memories from Kath’s time on the council and congratulate them on reaching this milestone together."
The couple married at All Saints Church in Ferryhill on September 30, 1961, having first met as neighbours.
Mrs Conroy was friends with Mr Conroy’s sister and often asked when he would be visiting, as he was serving in the army at the time.
Mr Conroy was born in Coundon and moved to Ferryhill as a child, while Mrs Conroy was born in Ferryhill.
The two have lived most of their lives in the town, apart from brief periods in Kent and Sunniside.
Mrs Conroy worked in the accounts department at Thorns before training as a nurse and later working at Dryburn.
After starting a family, she became a carer at Feryemount care home.
She went on to serve 26 years as a councillor and was Mayor of Ferryhill in 2001/2002.
Mr Conroy originally began training as a priest at Grange-over-Sands, but returned home before completing his studies.
He worked at Charlie Hall’s furniture shop in Bishop Auckland before joining the army, first in the Boy’s Service and later the Royal Engineers.
After six years of service, he returned to Thorns as a fridge mechanic, while studying English and Maths at night school to become a teacher.
He eventually became head teacher at St Wilfred’s in Bishop Auckland, where he remained until retirement.
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The Conroys bought their first home together on Gladstone Terrace in Ferryhill for £1,100, later moving to Parker Terrace and now Broomside.
Mr Conroy is a lifelong Sunderland supporter and enjoys cricket, while Mrs Conroy likes reading, crafting, and bingo.
The couple had four children—two daughters and two sons—as well as 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
They marked their anniversary with a family meal.