Maureen, 74, who lost her husband of 30 years to cancer in 2004, met her new partner 13 years ago but says she sees no point in getting wed.
The mother of two, who still lives alone, believes the only reason young women get married these days is "for the dress".She said: "It's quite easy to be a single independent woman in this day and age and have loads of male friends and a partner you're not married to.There are no obstacles to that."So I'm not quite sure of the purpose of marriage for me.
I don't need anyone's money, or their house. What would be the point? "Marriage is basically a religious commitment and always was.