Betty, who worked in an office when she met Ted, would become the administration worker for her husband's building partnership, Duggan and Driscoll, and later for his own company.
"She always did a great job and we never minded working together," says Ted.
The Duggans have three daughters, one son, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
"We have two daughters in Whanganui, one in Blenheim and our son lives in Palmerston North.
"Ted said he didn't want to fill the house with girls just so he might get a son one day.
"We stopped at three, then Edward arrived 10 years after our last daughter was born.
"He had four mothers bringing him up," laughs Betty.
It was young Edward who would lead his parents to their life-long hobby of rock collecting.
"We are rock hounds - Betty makes the little trees and I do the polishing," said Ted.
When 6-year-old Edward needed adult company to attend a rock collectors club in Whanganui his parents became rock addicts and their collection of rocks and crystals is testimony to their passion.
The Duggans took their four children to Napier for holidays every year until they left for university.
"You had to get out of town for a proper holiday," says Ted. "If you stayed home, the phone was always ringing with people wanting work done so we always got away."
Overseas travel came when the Duggans turned 60 and travelled to the UK to explore their heritage.
"My great-grandfather came from England and I contacted relatives there," said Ted.
Betty, who was born with the maiden name Valely in Dunedin, traced her Irish relatives and the couple visited a number of countries on their travels.
Retirement proved to be fairly short-lived and Ted went back to work when the couple returned to Whanganui but a stroke has curtailed his activities now.
"He had a stroke and I've had a heart attack," says Betty, "but we still muddle along quite well."
The Duggans will celebrate their platinum anniversary with a gathering of family and friends on February 7.
