A Merseyside couple celebrating 6 decades of marriage have marked their remarkable 60th wedding anniversary while being cared for at St Joseph’s Hospice in Thornton.

Pat and Dave Hughes have been married for 60 years, building a life together filled with family, music, laughter and, perhaps inevitably, the occasional disagreement.

1 subject in particular has remained a source of friendly rivalry throughout their marriage – football.

Pat said:- “We agree on lots of things and we do lots of things together, and there are lots of things we disagree on – and that’s fine. 1 thing we disagree on is Liverpool and Everton. On derby day, I say we must win, so of course he wants to win! That’s 1 day we are never in agreement.”

For Pat, the secret to their long marriage is simple:- despite having very different personalities, they have always complemented each other.

Pat laughed:- “I’m the 1 who is always organising things and doing things, and Dave is the 1 who… well, we’ve always worked things out. We’ve just got different personalities, but they gelled together. I think that’s probably why it’s lasted so long.”

Music has also played a huge part in their lives together, with both sharing a particular love of the music of the 1960s.

Pat joked:- “We both love music, especially 60s music. We love jiving and twisting – although Dave doesn’t twist me, he makes sure somebody else does that!” 

Their shared love of singing has also given them plenty in common. Dave was a member of the Liverpool Male Voice Choir, while Pat is a member of a local singing choir.

“I did have a fantastic voice,” Dave joked.

The couple's 60th anniversary has been made even more special by a very personal message from Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who sent Pat and Dave a special anniversary card to mark their six decades of marriage.

And there is certainly no shortage of family to celebrate with. Pat and Dave have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren – including a new arrival recently.

As they marked their special day at St Joseph’s Hospice, Pat and Dave were keen to share their appreciation for the care and kindness they have received.

Pat said:- “Every member of staff has congratulated us, and the way they’ve been looking after us today has been amazing. They haven’t just looked after Dave, they’ve looked after me as well. The hospice is just awesome. And, of course, the beautiful grounds mean we can get out and walk around and take Dave out in his wheelchair. Although the wheel fell off yesterday, which gave me a bit of excitement!”

For the team at St Joseph’s Hospice, being able to share such a special milestone with Pat and Dave has been a privilege.

After 60 years together, their story is a wonderful reminder that a long marriage is built on shared experiences, knowing when to compromise, having a good laugh – and accepting that some things, like football, will never be agreed upon.

Everyone at St Joseph’s Hospice would like to wish Pat and Dave a very happy 60th wedding anniversary – and many more happy memories together.