Love story of Deal couple married for 75 years has tragic end
06:00, 28 February 2020
A couple's love story, which spanned eight decades, came to an end on Valentine's Day.
Percy Lawrence, 93, of Mongeham Road, Deal, died suddenly on February 14.
He and his wife Jenny have collected a total of eight cards from The Queen in recognition of their 75-year marriage.
Paying tribute to her husband, Mrs Lawrence this week said: "He was my soul mate. I was honoured to be his wife.
"We were looking forward to the next one [anniversary] which would have been our 76th.
"He died in my arms, with me telling him how much I loved him."
Born in 1926 in Mongeham and raised in neighbouring Walmer, Mr Lawrence met Jenny when they were both 15.
He was walking along Deal promenade on his way to Air Training Corps while she was with a friend.
Three years later, in the same place, he proposed.
He joined the Royal Air Forces for three years at the age of 17, and served in India, Singapore, and Japan.
They married at St Mary's Church, Walmer, on November 1, 1944.
Mr Lawrence then worked as a butcher in Ramsgate and later ran his own shop 'Percy's Family Butcher Shop' in Canterbury for 10 years before retirement.
Mrs Lawrence said her husband loved to work and also enjoyed cooking.
He also had great affection for his garden, earning the nickname 'Dahlia man' among friends. He was once highly commended in the town’s In Bloom competition.
They had one daughter together, Brenda, who died in 2008.
The pair have featured in this newspaper on a number of occasions as part of their anniversary celebrations.
They received their first card from Buckingham Palace to mark their diamond anniversary in 2004, followed by others on their 65th, 70th and then every year since.
Speaking at the time of their 75th anniversary in November 2019, they said they felt so lucky to still have each other.
Mrs Lawrence said: "We just lived for each other.
"We looked after other other all of the time. He made me feel wonderful."
Mr Lawrence’s funeral will be held at Barham Crematorium on Monday, March 9, at 2.40pm.
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