Office romance still strong after 65 years

HAPPY IN WHANGAPARAOA: After 65 years the couple are settled near their daughters and grandchildren.

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You might think that one of the least romantic ways of meeting your partner would be as a co-worker in the mortgage department of a large building society.

Yet it happened when Ray Blennerhassett joined the society in January 1939 and his romance with Lois blossomed with "kisses stolen behind the filing cabinets".

Now 65 years later, the couple spend their time enjoying their four grandchildren and are involved in teaching adult literacy in Whangaparaoa.

The romance went on hold initially while Ray served in the Pacific in the Royal New Zealand Air Force medical section during World War Two.

Following his return in 1944, he and Lois were married on November 18 at St Phillips Church in St Heliers Bay.

The same year he returned to the building society and was transferred to the Wellington branch as a chartered accountant.

So began the couple's new life together.

With the birth of their two daughters and a son, Lois became involved in community life through Plunket, the Parents' Centre and later Women's Refuge. In addition to helping Lois with school fundraising, Roy joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

He became editor of the national magazine and later was elected as international vice-president for Southeast Asia, which resulted in travel all over the world.

In 1963 Ray was transferred back to Auckland as assistant branch manager and the couple moved to the North Shore to live. Ray added an interest in genealogy to his activities and Lois joined the workforce again.

Following Ray's retirement in 1979 the couple twice ran two small businesses of their own before making a big overseas trip in 1981.

On their return they lived in Browns Bay for 12 years before moving to Whangaparaoa, where their daughters live close by.

- © Fairfax NZ News