Couple mark 65th wedding anniversary together thanks to special visit granted
A couple have been able to mark their 65th wedding anniversary together in person – thanks to a special visit granted amid Covid-19.
George Rickhuss, aged 86, and Doris, 84, were married on December 26, 1955, at Holy Trinity Church in Short Heath.
And they have remained almost inseparable since – with Mrs Rickhuss making frequent visits to see her husband, who lives at Newcross Care Home.
Those visits this year have either been cancelled or have had to take place behind protective screens due to Covid-19.
But Mr Rickhuss was allowed home for a day – on their wedding anniversary – after their son made a special request to the care home.
Stuart Rickhuss, from Codsall, said: “I asked and said ‘we need him home’ and because of the circumstances they granted it.
“He was only out for one day. It wouldn’t be so bad if we could see him every day as we did – you could go into the care home and have a cup of tea and catch up.
“But the care home was locked down over Christmas. They said we could take him for one day which is good – he ate his dinner and was in a good mood.”
The 56-year-old son said he had given his father a special gift – a dementia watch – which Mr Rickhuss opened during the visit to the Codsall home.
Mrs Rickhuss, aged 84, said: “It was absolutely wonderful – it couldn’t have been better. It was the best Christmas present I could’ve asked for.
“But it’s been horrendous because I used to see him every day and there was a period when you couldn’t see him.
“It’s been very hard and very tough. He’s always been so caring and thoughtful.
“He’s so full of concern. It was our wedding anniversary – blue sapphire is what they called it – and it was very emotional.
“We’ve always been together and cared for each other and he’s always been so caring. To see how dementia gets, it’s a nasty complaint.
“I saw him on his birthday but it was behind a screen and he couldn’t understand it – he wants people to take their masks off. But my son has been golden – he has really been my rock.”
