100-Second Interview! Helen and Maurice Kaye, married for 83 years!
This week's profile celebrating our community’s centenarians looks at a couple who have been married for eight decades!
Names: Helen and Maurice Kaye (Married for 83 years!)
Dates of birth: 23/04/1913 and 03/06/1912 respectively
Place of birth: Warsaw and East End
Where do you both live?
We live in Bournemouth.
How long have you lived there?
Seventy-seven years, having been bombed out of our London home.
Where did you both live before?
Camberwell, south London.
What was your job before retiring?
We owned a fashion retailer and property business.
Do you have any children, grandchildren and great grandchildren?
We have two living children, both married: Larry Kaye to Mandy, and Tina Son to David. We sadly lost two children: Anthony aged just four in 1949, and Lezley, who was 39, died 26 years ago.
We have nine grandchildren: Larry and Mandy have two sons and we count their wives as our grandchildren; Lezley had three children and Tina has two. We have seven great-grandchildren.
What’s your happiest memory?
H: When Tina got married. That really stands out in my mind.
M: There are too many to pick one.
What do you consider to be your greatest/proudest achievement?
H: Working with my husband to build a successful business.
M: Making a success of my property business, particularly when
I bought my first Rolls Royce.
Who are your heroes of today or yesteryear?
H: Golda Meir – a great woman.
M: My personal friend Harry Ellis, who was always there to give me advice.
If you were granted one wish to see something in your lifetime, what would it be?
H: To see Anthony and Lezley again.
M: A secure Israel at peace with its neighbours.
If you could live your life again, would you do anything differently?
H: I would have taken Anthony to see a different doctor.
M: Nothing – I lived my life as I wanted.
Do today’s young people have it easy compared to when you were growing up?
H & M: Definitely.
What one piece of advice would you give to today’s youngsters?
H: Make sure you make the most of educational opportunities.
M: Grasp every opportunity.
Are the elderly given the respect they deserve in Britain today?
H: No.
M: I think they are.
What national or international news story has had the greatest impact on you over the years?
H: News of the Declaration of Independence of the state of Israel.
M: Germany invading Poland because I knew we would end up at war.
The secret for a long life is…
H: Having a good sense of humour.
M: Not dying!
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