Posted by Nassau Guardian on January 18, 2002 at 10:41:40:
From www.thenassauguardian.com:
Devoted McCartneys celebrate seven decades of marital bliss
Released Thursday, January 17, 2002 at 11:13 am EST by Janice Mather
By JANICE MATHER
Guardian Features Reporter
Three score and ten. That's the span the Bible quoted.
But Irvin and Olga McCartney have been thrice blessed. Each has lived an exceptionally long life, and
shared that life with the other.
Three score and ten - or 70, as the young 'whippersnappers' say - isn't the age of either husband or wife.
That's how long the couple has shared a life of matrimony. While most of society grapple with reaching
the senior years, or simply comprehending the concept of being alive for close to 25,000 days, let alone
married for that period of time, Irwin and Olga simply continue life as they have known it since 1932.
Did their destiny lie in the soil of Eleuthera, where Irvin was born, and Olga's parents hail from? Or were
the two, whose families were intertwined even before the two wed, simply fated for each other?
Call it destiny, chance, or part of a master plan, from the time a dashing 20-year-old man, tall, dark, and
handsome as they come, laid eyes on the sweet-faced, Crooked-Island-born girl, a union has grown and
flourished.
Both coming from religious Eleuthera-rooted families, the marriage of her uncle to his sister preceded
their own love. Though the families already knew each other, Cupid didn't strike until a young Irvin came
to visit the family in Tarpum Bay.
"As I stepped out to the porch," says a husband whose recollections haven't dimmed over the seven
decades, "I saw this girl with this brim hat walking. She say 'hello stranger.' I say . . . these pretty gals
you gat here! I say, 'gal, I loves you!' She say, 'Me? Not me!' I say to myself, now, I'm coming back."
Visits to the family were, of course, repeated, part of a thinly veiled plot to woo the pretty young Olga.
And come back he did. Corresponding through letters between New Providence and Eleuthera, 15
months and an engagement letter later, the pair were wed at 16 and 21 in Grant's Town Wesley
Methodist Church, on January 6, 1932. But neither imagined then that "'til death do us part" would last
this long.
Though marriages were made to last in those days, living 70, 80, 90 years was rare. But now, both clear of
mind at 92 and 86, the McCartneys attribute the success of their union solely to religious upbringing and
spiritual guidance. The pair are founding members of the East Street Gospel Chapel, and were honoured
in 1999 for 50 years of service in that church.
Not only has their marriage been lifelong, it's already lasted a lifetime. It's produced three children,
George, Charles, and Maud, seven grands, and 13 great-grands. It's been said that living life right is
rewarded with long days on the earth, and for this pair, that's been shown to be sweetly true.
"First of all is to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal saviour, and that takes in every aspect of
life; how to treat your children, how to treat your wife, how to deal with other people," says Mr.
McCartney, who says he has been the unchallenged boss of that household in whatever home they
have occupied, from the first lovenest in Mason's Addition, to their present home in Centreville. "That
has been our object in all our life, to trust in the Lord. We know that is basic for our success in life, to
this very day. That's uttermost in anybody's life."
Their Christian practices and beliefs have brought them blessings. Though "Pa" was known to be a
strict dad, he and the slightly more indulgent but no less moral Mamma have lived to witness the lives,
careers, and activities of their children, George, Charles, and Maud, seven children of those children, and
thirteen children of their children's children. If their lives can truly be attributed to an upright,
God-fearing path, then what they've reaped - not the least of which are a steadfast marriage, the honour
of crowns of snow-mixed hair and the treasure of seeing generations down to the fourth - are proof of
ample blessings.
Wed in the years when suitors could be sued for breaking engagements, and divorce was utterly
unheard of, their family life reflected traditional values. "Brother Mac" headed out to work, first in the
shipyards of first Bahamian premier Sir Roland Symonette, and later forming McCartney Thompson Co.
Ltd, a packaging company, in the 40s, with brother-in-law S. Dewitt Thompson.
Things in the McCartney household haven't changed much over the years. There are still strict morals, a
strong Christian presence, and a loving atmosphere, open doors welcoming in visitors. Though now
many in years, Mr. McCartney, firm and serious save for a strong humorous streak, still ministers, even if
it's only in conversation. Mrs. McCartney still creates her much-loved coconut and pineapple tarts,
despite wavering health. And though she's not 16, she's still a 'pretty gal' in his eyes.
"I've never tapped her even lightly, since we've been married these 70 years," the husband proudly says.
"Just try and stick it out," advises this veteran wife. "Work it out together. Just trust the Lord and ask
him to help you through the problems.
"Thank God, we're happy," she says. "It wasn't easy sailing all along, but it was good."