Mrs French, a patient at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, has been “doing it a bit tough” and her husband had been working on a plan he knew would lift her spirits.

Carol French’s Godmother Margaret Hampton, who lives in Wodonga, and members of their 1972 wedding party – bridesmaid Jude Eyers and best man Norm Eyers from Wahgunyah  – joined Lyall at her bedside in Albury to mark the milestone on Saturday, September 9.

“Her mouth just dropped open when everyone walked in, ‘what’s goin’ on here?’ Mr French said. “She just couldn’t believe what was going on. The hardest part was trying to keep them all quiet about beforehand.”

Queensland-based lifelong friend Terry Griffiths, who worked with Mr and Mrs French for several years, also made the trek south for the special reunion day.

Carol and Lyall French, who live between Chiltern and Springhurst, were married at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Yackandandah, on September 9, 1972.

“It worked out well, it was a wonderful surprise,” Mr French said.