Midlothian care home couple who wed in their 80s celebrate first anniversary

Care home residents aged 88 and 86 celebrated their first wedding anniversary at a Midlothian care home on October 24.

John Norrie, 88, and Jean Norrie, 86, were married last year in Dalkeith’s Archview Lodge Care Home and had staff “in tears” on their first wedding anniversary.

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John and Jean met through church when John was still married to his late wife. They maintained a friendship for a number of years after John’s wife passed - until John proposed to Jean in 2023.

Jean has been a resident at Archiview Lodge since 2022 and requested that the ceremony be held at the care home last year on her 85th birthday on October 24, 2023.

John lives independently but visits the care home every day. On Sunday, John and Jean go to church together.

The team from Archview Lodge whisked Jean and John away for a honeymoon in Borders, an area that both hold fond memories of from childhood.

A year later, staff and fellow residents at Archview were delighted to help Jean and John have a special time celebrating their first wedding anniversary.

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General Manager of Archview Lodge, Sarah Thomson, said: “It has been such a special day, we have all been in tears again remembering the wedding day. We all raised a glass to toast the happy couple and celebrate their first year of wedded bliss.

“They’re so happy together. The staff help them celebrate Valentine’s Day and now their anniversary.”

Jean commented: “We have had the most fantastic time, everyone has been so kind helping John and I celebrate our first anniversary, both on our day out and here with all our friends.

“The staff are all so caring and we have had such a lovely celebration. John and I can’t thank everyone enough.”

Archview Lodge in Dalkeith provides for residential, nursing and dementia

care for 76 residents from respite breaks to long term stays.

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