LOVE and devotion is the cornerstone to Nola and Barrie Cullen’s 60-year relationship.
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The Port Stephens couple, celebrating 60 years of marriage in June, have journeyed through good times and the bad, literally through sickness and health, and are still as in love with each other as they day they met.
“The love, devotion and support they have for each other is beautiful,” the couple’s daughter, Anne, said.
“They’ve always been there for each other.
“They’re totally devoted parents and grandparents.”
Nola and Barrie met at a wedding when they were 18 years of age.
They dated for two years before marrying at St Anne’s Church in Strathfield, Sydney on June 2, 1956.
They continued to live in Sydney where Barrie worked as the general manager for a steel company and Nola raised the couple’s three children, two boys and a daughter, Anne.
Not simply a stay-at-home mother, Nola undertook a lot of charity work.
Charity work was something Nola continued when Barrie retired in 1990, at the age of 56, and the couple moved to Port Stephens.
They had holidayed in the area with their children. Liking it so much, they decided to live in Port Stephens when Barrie retired.
Nola worked for the Samaritans, John Hunter Hospital and Meals on Wheels.
The couple not only moved to Port Stephens 26 years ago, but also became part of the community.
Nola attended View club meetings and the Nelson Bay CWA.
When she can, she still attends CWA meetings.
Barrie was involved with the Port Stephens Probus Club, which he was president of for a year.
The couple were bonded together even further in 2004 when Barrie donated one of his kidneys to Nola.
Nola had had kidney issues since before they moved to Port Stephens.
She had spent 18 months on dialysis when it was found that Barrie was a successful blood match with his wife.
“Dad insisted he donate his kidney to mum,” Anne said.
It will be 12 years in November that Barrie donated his kidney to Nola, which to this day is still working successfully.
The Cullens have six grandchildren.
A low-key family dinner is planned for celebrating Nola and Barrie’s 60th wedding anniversary.
