Elphin Lodge residents Roslind (78) and Cecil Shainfeld (86) marked their 60th wedding anniversary on August 30, a milestone that speaks to their enduring love, commitment, and resilience.
“We were introduced by a mutual friend early in 1963 and had a whirlwind courtship. Those were the days of dinner, dancing, theatres and wonderful Sundays at the Vaal River,” shares Ros.
The Shainfelds were married at the Pine Street Shul in Johannesburg on August 30, 1964, and had two children, Richard and Kim. “Richard is a wonderful son and father to our three grandsons: Joshua, married to Sarah; Daniel; and Adam. Kim lives in Irvine, California, and is an esthetician.”
Cecil owned retail stores and in the later years, bought and sold motor cars. He has always been a keen cyclist and gyms four times a week. He also enjoys playing card games and watching TV. Cecil says that while Ros is a great chef and a wonderful baker, he is handy in the kitchen too – making his breakfast oats and poaching a ‘mean egg’.
Ros was a homemaker and taxi driver to and from school to sports activities and says she loved every minute of that time. In later years, she worked in the retail industry, selling clothing for women. She is an avid gardener, loves colour, and loves to paint, especially on material. Challah covers, which are centrepieces on every Sabbath table, table runners and wall hangings are her specialities.
“Over the past six years, while living at Elphin Lodge, we have made wonderful friends who are more like family to us,” says Ros.
“Cecil’s favourite memory is of me walking down the aisle to join him,” she shares, adding that he keeps that picture tucked away in his heart. Ros remembers the look on Cecil’s face when he held his son and daughter for the first time.
“Our greatest blessing is reaching this milestone together. We are fortunate to have three wonderful grandchildren, who bring immense joy and fulfilment.”
The Shainfeld’s advice to other couples is to ‘be yourself, learn to share, and give each other space to grow’.
As they enter their seventh decade of marriage, Ros and Cecil continue to inspire those around them with their love story.
Cecil and Ros Shainfeld on their wedding day.
The couple in their Elphin Lodge garden.
