Article contentAs they sat together in their home on Saturday and family took over the living room, the Mackays reminisced about that day exactly 75 years ago. Article content Ray and Jean Mackay shown on their wedding day, Aug. 16, 1950. The Westmount couple celebrated their 75th anniversary Saturday at home surrounded by friends and family. They were married in what is now known as St. Ann’s Bay United Church. The church is along the Cabot Trail near French River. Photo by CONTRIBUTEDArticle content‘A BUSY DAY’Article contentThe wedding was supposed to be at 7 p.m. in St. Ann’s Bay United Church, which still exists today in Barrachois. Article content“It was a busy day,” Jean says. Article contentShe remembers all the women in the wedding party getting their hair and makeup done. But she wasn’t going to get into the wedding dress until she knew the groom was there. Article contentIt may have only been three months since they met, but she already knew a bit about the man she was about to marry. “He’s tardy,” she said. Article contentTrue to form, Ray was half an hour late for the ceremony. The church, however, was overfilled, as weddings in those days were a real community event. And people from Sydney had all come up in a bus. Article contentEveryone wanted to see the “country girl” bride’s dress! It had been bought in Boston for $27, while the wide-brimmed hat was a $13 purchase. Article contentArticle content“That dress and hat travelled all over,” Jean said. “The hat was white and so it went with any other bride’s dress and everyone wanted to borrow it for their own celebrations. And the dress was used in all kinds of church plays whenever there was a wedding scene or bride in the play.” Article contentJean carried a bouquet of red roses and white carnations — her favourite flowers even today. Article contentThey travelled to Prince Edward Island for their honeymoon. The trip there was great and included the P.E.I. exhibition, but coming home, they kept getting bumped from the ferry. Article content“They had to get the horses and other animals home first,” Ray said. Article contentBONDED BY HUMOURArticle contentAmong their many positive attributes as community-minded members of the Westmount area: a sense of humour bonds them. Article content“If I’d known I was going to last this long, I would have taken better care of myself,” Ray said on Saturday. Article contentAnd Jean told a story of being asked publicly by an emcee at an event if she ever thought of divorce. Article content“I said, ‘No, never,’” she says. “Murder maybe, but never divorce.” Article contentEach statement makes the other partner giggle and loving looks are exchanged. Article contentAnd one other thing they want to tell visitors about their wedding day: these days, their flower girl is 81 years old. She is their niece and lives in Boston and still keeps in touch with them. Article contentLongevity apparently runs in the family. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle content
Cape Breton couple from Westmount celebrates 75 years of wedded bliss
