Kaikohe couple blessed by the pope at 60 year milestone

Evelyn and Shaun Reilly with their 60th wedding anniversary cake and framed blessing from Pope Francis.

Kaikohe couple Shaun and Evelyn Reilly (nee Taylor) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Saturday, marking a personal milestone and a first for either of their extended families.

The couple were married at St Patrick's Church in Pukekohe on September 28, 1957, acknowledgments of their anniversary including a papal blessing saying 'The Holy Father Francis cordially imparts the requested Apostolic Blessing to Shaun Kavanagh Reilly and Evelyn Margaret La Page Taylor Reilly'.

They spent their first two years together in Drury, where Shaun had a small agricultural contracting business while Evelyn had her sights set on a career in baking.

They then moved to a relative's farm in Pukekohe East, then Whitford in 1963 for 10 years. In 1973 they moved to Kaikohe, their home ever since.

They have largely led a farming life, although Shaun flirted with photography and the Northern News, and is now a member of the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board. He says he will never retire, as there will always be too much to do, see and try.

He took a keen and active interest in his children's schools, along with Federated Farmers and the Kaikohe A&P Society.

Evelyn, who once ran a cattery and kennels, has looked after animals for the SPCA.

"She has an amazing affinity with hairy or furry four-legged critters that cannot be surpassed," Shaun says. She also helped on the farm, and continues to volunteer for various organisations in Kaikohe.

For almost 30 years she has spent Mondays in the Anglican Church opportunity shop, and is now a regular visitor of the Kaikohe Aged Care Unit residents.

Shaun's maternal grandfather, William Alfred Spicer, arrived in New Zealand from England as a seven year old, farming in many parts of the country. His paternal grandfather, James Reilly, settled in Takaka, where he built a pub and a church - Shaun wasn't sure which came first.

Evelyn's father, John Taylor, emigrated from Ireland to escape from 'the troubles,' and was also a farmer.