Love story ends as couple die just four days apart

LONG INNINGS: Dot and Bert Bailey on their wedding day.

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A love story that lasted 69 years has ended with the deaths of Dot and Bert Bailey four days apart.

The couple were farewelled yesterday, their caskets side by side, by family and friends in their home town of Plimmerton.

Mrs Bailey, 92, was described as feisty and fearless, Mr Bailey, 97, as calm, measured and a perfect gentlemen.

"A good team – two feisty personalities in one household would have spelled trouble," Fay Harrison, their middle daughter, said.

Mrs Bailey died on November 30. Ten minutes later an ambulance was called for her husband. He was admitted to Wellington Hospital and died four days later.

Both were ahead of the times: he cooked, ironed, darned socks and brought tea and toast to his family every morning. She worked fulltime and was a top cricketer, representing Wellington and New Zealand.

But, the funeral was told: "The greatest partnership Dot ever had was with Bert."

"Dad died as he lived, with little fuss, making things easy for everyone ... a double funeral. In the end, this is what he wanted," daughter Joy Gray said.

"Once Mum went, he wanted to go, too. In fact, theirs was an incredible love story."

Charles Bertram Bailey met Doris Lilian Hatcher through a mutual friend. They married in 1940 and had three daughters: Joy, Fay and Claire.

Mr Bailey worked for the public service, becoming manager of Bellamys at Parliament. After retiring, he managed the Wellesley Club.

He was superintendent of Plimmerton's volunteer fire brigade in the 1940s.

Firefighters formed a guard of honour for the couple. Dot's 1949 New Zealand cricket blazer was placed on her casket and on Bert's a firefighter's helmet.

Mrs Bailey loved swimming in the sea and her husband would hold her towel and inhaler at the water's edge. Family was the "centre of their universe", their daughters said.

While they were never "gushy", Mrs Gray said: "I always felt Mum and Dad needed and loved each other and, if one went, the other would not be far behind."