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Smart 55: Edith and Charlie Fawcett celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

Edith and Charlie Fawcett celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends recently.

Congratulations were on the menu recently at a Seniors' Activity Centre luncheon, when local residents Edith and Charlie Fawcett celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends.

Long-time Williams Lake residents, the Fawcetts have lived in Williams Lake since their marriage. Their four children were all born at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.

The couple's youngest daughter, Anita Fawcett and oldest son Bill Fawcett attended the celebration while their two middle children arrived for an additional party on the weekend.

Anita Fawcett said her parents are long-time church members, and that she was raised with small town values like being a champion of the underdog and doing what you can to help people.

Her dad worked for the railroad, and when an accident resulted in the need for retraining, he became a stationary engineer hired by Cariboo Memorial Hospital where he worked on boiler systems and elevators.

She said that her mom was a consummate homemaker, sewing her daughters’ figure skating costumes, and volunteering in the community.

“She was once honoured as volunteer of the year in Williams Lake,” Anita said.

“Dad has always been a strong supporter of education for his own kids – we all graduated from the University of British Columbia — as well as for his grandchildren and other local young people.”

When asked why education for young people is so important, Charlie answered simply, “It’s probably the most important thing in the world.”

“My dad was always a wealth of good, simple advice to me, including financial advice,” Anita continued.

“One of my friends in Vancouver said, ‘I felt like he’s raised me, too; almost like, ‘what would Charlie Fawcett do.’”

She said that her dad has always been known for his great sense of humour.

“When I was about 12 years old, I was driving with him to Williams Lake and wanted him to stop for a snack or something. He resisted, and I said, ‘You can’t be my real dad, ‘cause if you were my real dad you’d know how badly I need to stop right now,’ and he answered, ‘When you find your real dad, tell him he owes me a lot of money.’”

When asked the secret for staying married for 60 years, Edith said, “Just take it one day at a time,” and Charlie said, “The secret is two words: ‘yes, dear.’”