From their first date to their diamond anniversary, Reg and Heather Foster’s love has stood the test of time, and now Reg has shared their love story in memory of his dearly departed wife.
Growing up in Wyee, motorbikes were the first love of Reg’s life, so it was a real shock when they led him to his second.
The couple met on a blind date when Reg was supposed to go biking with his cousin.
“He wanted to bring along his girlfriend and she was going to bring a friend so we could double date,” Reg recalls.
At just 22, he had no idea that the sweet 16-year-old he’d just met would go onto to become the love of his life.
Smitten, the couple would date for a few years as Reg pursued his passion working at Wyong Motors, while Heather took a job as a clerk at their local fruit shop.
When they weren’t at work, Heather was cheering Reg on at local derbies as he kept up with his motor racing, before he eventually settled into life as a loader repairer.
On May 25, 1957, the pair were wed after a scandalously short 10-day engagement, but Reg recalls it was with good reason.
“I bought her a house, not a diamond ring and Heather was very happy with that.”
The house, a charming fibro place on Wilson Street at Toukley, would be the Foster’s home for 63 years.
It was where they raised their three children, Mark, Linda and Julie, where Heather would cook up a storm and where Reg felt happiest.
Sadly, it was also where he nursed Heather as her health deteriorated due to a heart condition.
At their end, Reg spent their last three days and nights together at Heather’s bedside reflecting on a life filled with love, before Heather passed away in hospital on November 22, aged 83.
“For the last two years of her life, Heather suffered greatly, but she never let it show.
“She always had a smile on her face, and I will always remember it,” Reg said.
Reg said he wanted his wife to be remembered as the strong and compassionate woman that enjoyed giving back to her community that she was.
“Over the years, Heather did a lot for the community.
“In the 60s, we were very active in getting St Luke’s Anglican Church at Toukley built and I’m actually it’s last living charter member,” Reg said.
“Heather also volunteered at Meals on Wheels for around seven years and was a very active member of the Halekulani View Club, which she loved very much.
“That’s why I wanted to share our story, so people who knew Heather can know what a wonderful person my wife was.”
Dilon Luke