Grandfather, 90, proposes to girlfriend, 92, as she is having a HEART ATTACK after realising ‘they might not have long left together’ and jokes he is so shocked she said yes he ‘almost had a heart attack as well’
- Maurice Benton, 90, and Joanne Orris, 92, have lived together for 37 years
- Mr Benton proposed while his partner was having a heart attack
- ‘The only downside is he can’t call me his mistress any more,’ said Ms Orris
A couple in their 90s have finally got married — after he proposed while she was having a heart attack.
Maurice Benton, 90, and Joanne Orris, 92, have lived together for 37 years — and have now tied the knot.
Known as ‘Mo and Jo’, they were visited at their Curry Rivel home in Somerset by a vicar and registrar on Saturday to carry out the ceremony.
They agreed to finally wed after Mr Benton proposed to his beloved when she was having a heart attack on March 3, last year.
Maurice Benton, 90, and Joanne Orris, 92, married at their Somerset home on Saturday after living together for 37 years
The mum-of-two, who has six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two-great-great grandchildren, said yes while in the grips of a cardiac arrest.
It followed many years of turning down Mr Benton’s regular proposals.
Ms Orris said: ‘Mo came forward and knelt down. He said, “I’m sorry I can’t take this pain away from you. Will you marry me?”
‘I’ve always said no in the past, but my heart attack made us realise perhaps we haven’t got so many years left, so we’ll get married after all.
‘When I said yes, I think Maurice was so shocked, he nearly had a heart attack as well.
‘We’ve been laughing ever since. And it means there won’t be any problems with the taxman.’
Saturday’s wedding was Ms Orris’ nuptials. Her first marriage ended in divorce, and her second husband died in his 50s.
‘Everyone’s really thrilled for us, although most of our friends and my cousin said they thought we were already married,’ she said.
Mr Benton, who has two daughters and five grandchildren, said: ‘I’ll still be her slave, doing all the washing and ironing.
‘Jo’s not so mobile, but fortunately, she’s got a sharp brain like nobody else.
‘It was about time she made an honest man of me.’
The happy occasion saw guests enjoy several bottles of champagne and food prepared by the groom.
Speaking afterwards, Ms Orris said: ‘The only downside is he can’t call me his mistress any more.’
The couple became known as the Perfect Strangers when they sent anonymous letters and parcels to British troops serving in the Iraq War.
They were also made honorary Gurkhas for their fundraising efforts for members of our armed forces.
Marie Hill, 93, met Ron Hedley, 100, during a group exercise class at Cameron Park Care Community in Newcastle, NSW
Last April another love story captured the hearts of thousands when two elderly grandparents married after meeting at their aged care home and falling in love.
Marie Hill, 93, met Ron Hedley, 100, during a group exercise class at Cameron Park Care Community in Newcastle, NSW.
‘He just seemed so nice, right from the time I met him. And I thought “oh he’s a lovely fellow”,’ Ms Hill told Nine News.
Ms Hill, donned a blush coloured gown and gloves, was walked down the aisle by her two sons Denis and Glen while Perfect by Ed Sheeran played in the background.
The newlyweds, who were both sat in wheelchairs, exchanged rings and vows in front of their families on the lawn of the care home.
Staffer Miki Stojcic said she played cupid to the couple — who had both lost their partners — after encouraging Ms Hill to join the home’s exercise class.
Ms Hill described her new husband as a ‘lovely fellow’ after meeting him at their nursing home
‘Marie spotted Ron and from that day everything changed,’ she said.
Janet Collins, the aged care centre’s general manager, said at the time it’s ‘really lovely’ to have watched the couple fall in love.
‘It’s really obvious when you spend even a few minutes in their company, just how happy they are together,’ she said.
Ms Hill’s son Denis said his mother has ‘gone from being a cranky old girl to very happy’.
Mr Hedley’s son Peter said the couple, who have both lost their spouses, are now ‘enjoying life’ with each other.
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