75 years of love and devotion
Arthur and Clarice Henschel will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on June 1, marking a lifetime of love, partnership, and family.
Over the past seven and a half decades, the couple has built a rich life together, raising four children, welcoming five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and creating countless cherished memories.
“To reach this kind of milestone, you first have to live long and healthy lives, which my grandparents have always been good at,” says their granddaughter, Emily Fenech. “They both had incredible work ethics and focused on taking care of the important things.”
Their relationship has always been rooted in mutual support and respect. Clarice, a trailblazer for her time, pursued higher education after having children, earning both an undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Library Science. Clarice recalls a neighbour whose husband told her to abandon her studies – a fate she never faced. Arthur never held those outdated and oppressive ideologies, and Clarice did whatever she pleased, including post-secondary education, activism, working as a librarian, and making time to travel.
Arthur, known for his steady dedication, focused his energy on family and home, with golf and curling as his few outside pursuits. Fenech fondly remembers time spent in her grandfather’s workshop: “I have fond memories of getting to work in grandpa’s shop as a kid, learning how to hammer a nail into a piece of wood without bruising a thumb.”
Their adventures together took them to many countries, creating memories with family and friends. “I think most importantly, they were generous,” Fenech says. “Generous to each other, with their time, to their friends and neighbours, and most importantly to their family.”
Arthur’s proposal to Clarice was a story in itself. After he was initially turned down, Clarice moved from Vancouver to Toronto to work for the CBC. The couple kept in touch, despite the cost of long-distance calls at the time. Undeterred, Arthur sent her a 78 record of Doris Day’s “(Where Are You) Now That I Need You,” along with a ring. Clarice called him soon after, this time to say yes.
After moving to Toronto in 1950, they spent their lives in a small neighbourhood in Scarborough, eventually retiring to Markham’s Swan Lake neighbourhood over 25 years ago.
With a life defined by love, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to family, it’s no surprise Arthur and Clarice have reached this remarkable milestone.
“I couldn’t think of a more wonderful couple,” says Fenech.
If celebrating their 75th anniversary isn’t enough, Clarice turns 96 on July 2, and Arthur joins the centenarian club on July 4.