COMMUNICATION, patience, understanding and tolerance are the keys to a successful marriage, according to Scone couple John and Maria Musumeci.
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And, the popular residents should know after recently celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
The Musumecis even received letters of congratulations from Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
“It was terrific; we weren’t expecting it,” Mrs Musumeci said.
“In fact, we were keeping it [the milestone] pretty low key.
“We ended up celebrating with our youngest son John Jnr and our grandchildren – and that only occurred by chance.
“But, it was a lovely evening.”
So, how did John and Maria meet?
“I used to work at a pharmacy in Sydney, while John drove a big truck,” Mrs Musumeci said.
“One day, he came into the chemist to get some cream because his hands were really bad.
“After that, he made up an excuse to come into the shop every day,” she added with a laugh.
“It might sound old-fashioned but that’s how it was in those days.”
The pair tied the knot at Leichhardt, in Sydney, on April 8, 1967.
And, Mrs Musumeci still has fond memories of the ceremony.
“It was a lovely day – we had about 300 guests,” she recalled.
“But, you expect that for an Italian wedding and two large families.”
The Musumecis moved to Scone 37 years ago, with their sons Alfio, Silvestro and John Jnr.
Since then, they’ve made the Upper Hunter town their “home”.
“We’re settled here,” Mrs Musumeci said.
“We’ve made plenty of friends through our involvement with the Scone Lions Club and St Mary’s Catholic Church.
“We love Scone – and everything it offers.”