Municipality of Heumen celebrates diamond wedding anniversary of local couple with unique gift
Tom and Gonny Smeets-Gidding from Malden have reached a remarkable milestone: 60 years of marriage. The municipality of Heumen honored the couple with a visit from Mayor Joerie Minses, who presented them with a bouquet and a framed copy of their marriage certificate, celebrating their enduring love and commitment.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Couple | Tom Smeets (83) and Gonny Gidding (84) |
| Anniversary | Diamond wedding (60 years) |
| Marriage Date | April 1, 1966 |
| Location of Marriage | Utrecht |
| Current Residence | Malden, municipality of Heumen |
| Mayor’s Visit | Joerie Minses, Mayor of Heumen |
| Gift Presented | Bouquet of flowers and framed marriage certificate |
| Children | 2 (a son and a daughter) |
| Grandchildren | 3 |
| Tom’s Former Profession | Journalist (Het Centrum, De Gelderlander) |
| Gonny’s Former Profession | Secretary (hospital in Heerlen, printing company) |
The municipality of Heumen plays a role in recognizing and celebrating significant milestones in the lives of its residents, such as anniversaries. This fosters community spirit and acknowledges the contributions of long-standing residents to the local area.
Read the full translated article below
Diamond wedding couple Smeets-Gidding from Malden
On April 1, 1966, Tom Smeets (83) and Gonny Gidding (84) exchanged vows in Utrecht. Sixty years of marriage! This milestone certainly deserves recognition. Mayor Joerie Minses visited the diamond wedding couple at Restaurant Santa Maria in the Heumense Molenhoek to congratulate them on behalf of the municipal council. As a gift, he presented them with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a framed copy of their 60-year-old marriage certificate.
Tom originally hails from Valkenburg-Houthem, while Gonny was born in The Hague and grew up in Maastricht. When Tom was 18, he took dance lessons in Maastricht in the hope of meeting the girl of his dreams. The dance instructor told Tom, “If you want to dance well, you should dance with Gonny.” Tom took the advice, and that dance brought them together—a bond that has lasted over 60 years. Tom completed his military service, stationed in Middelburg, then Doorn, and finally in the German town of Seedorf. After his service, he began working as a city reporter for the newspaper *Het Centrum* in Utrecht, where he also wrote film reviews.
After six years of courtship, the couple married in Utrecht and settled in Kanaleneiland, along the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. When *Het Centrum* went bankrupt, Tom moved to *De Gelderlander* in Nijmegen, which brought them to Malden. As a journalist, Tom covered entertainment stories, including frequent visits to musicals—both in the Netherlands and abroad, including the United States. He also attended the Golden Rose Festival in Montreux more than 25 times to report on the event for the newspaper; this is Europe’s most prestigious television program festival. Gonny often accompanied him. Tom retired at the age of 58.
Gonny worked as a secretary at a hospital in Heerlen and later at a printing company. The couple has two children—a son and a daughter—and three grandchildren, all of whom they are very proud of.
Tom’s hobbies include stamp collecting, music, attending musicals, and trips to Disneyland Paris, which they have visited multiple times. Gonny enjoys crafts, flower arranging, and cooking. Together, they have traveled across Europe during their holidays, with road trips through Turkey and Spain being particular favorites.
The municipal council of Heumen warmly congratulates Tom and Gonny on this diamond anniversary!