Shirley and Leo Wesolowski, both 100 years old, celebrated their joint birthdays on Saturday in Sydney. The couple, who married in 1952 at age 26, have spent their lives together in the inner-west suburb of Leichhardt, raising four children and later welcoming grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Leo, a displaced person after World War II, came to Australia and met Shirley. Despite language barriers, their bond grew. Their daughter, Jeanette Wadkin, said, “Even though they didn’t speak English, it was the language of love, I guess.”
The couple now lives at Uniting Aldersgate Residential Aged Care Home in Lilyfield. Family members traveled from around the world to attend the celebration. Granddaughter Melissa Wadkin remarked, “I couldn’t miss this. This is the party of the century.”
Shirley shared the secret to a long and happy marriage: “Just love each other and don’t abuse each other. Just look after each other.” Wadkin added, “They emanate kindness, warmth and happiness, and that’s something that I think we’ve tried to keep within our family.”
