Angelica and David all set for wedding of the year
Our People
It is a love story that has weathered the best, or worst, that Port Douglas can throw at it… and now one of our favourites, Angelica Maffey-Stumpe is setting off to marry her man, David Waldie.
Angelica, 39, a Port Douglas local and Sheraton Mirage employee, will marry David, 40, in Brisbane on October 4 after a lifetime of friendship and a 14-year engagement.
The couple, who both live with Down syndrome, celebrated their upcoming wedding in Port Douglas at the Court House on Saturday with the FNQ community that has supported Angelica to live a full, independent life, including now getting married after a romance that blossomed despite challenges.
Angelica and David have known each other since they were babies and their relationship has survived many challenges, including being separated for a year by Covid-19, Tropical Cyclone Jasper scuppering Christmas plans, and, of course, living in different cities.
“I can't wait! We have waited so long. It has been 14 years since we got engaged,’’ Angelica said this week.
“We have known each other since we were babies. I love his sense of humour. He is cheeky and naughty, and makes me laugh.
“We love watching sports together. I love our phone calls and hanging out with David, as well as his family and friends.
“David and I have fun together. He is my best friend. That's why I love David.’’
David’s cheekiness was evident from the start of their relationship, said Angelica, who grew up in Julatten and attended school there and in Mossman.
“I was seven months old. I had heart surgery in Brisbane and I was very fragile,’’ she said.
“My mum knew David's aunt and we went to visit them. Mum laid me on the carpet. David got closer and closer to my face and then very loudly said 'boo'.’’
David is a singer-songwriter who lives independently in Brisbane, and whose creative works, including a cabaret show and a debut album released in late 2023, highlight the barriers he has faced as an artist with disability.
“I love her just the way she is and that to me matters most,’’ he said.
“I feel like the most happiest man in the world right now. It means a lot to me in so many ways. I am very excited about my new chapter and that I’m sharing it with the woman I love.’’
A local choir member, Angelica shares a love of music with David and one of his favourite memories of their romance is going to see Cats at QPAC one Valentines Day.
“I gave her the best gift of all and that’s meeting Delta Goodrem there,’’ David said.
Angelica’s mum Selina Maffee said, as the couple’s relationship has grown over the years, so has the close association with David's family.
“Together we have worked out ways for Angelica and David to enjoy their time together and grow, while maintaining their autonomy and independence. This hasn't always been easy as David lives in Brisbane and Angelica in Port Douglas,’’ she said.
“Angelica and David's love is like no other. They talk on the phone nearly every day, and have overcome huge challenges together - losing loved ones, health issues, including major heart surgery for Angelica, and being separated by Covid-19, cyclones and flooding.
“Angelica has always talked about her wedding and now it's finally happening.
As the wedding is mostly being attended by family, many from overseas, Angelica wanted to have a send-off with her local friends, including her school mates, Sheraton colleagues, choir friends, support team and family friends from Julatten, Mossman and Port Douglas.
“Angelica is known by so many and as a family we are enormously grateful to the Far North Queensland community who have given Angelica opportunities and support over the years, and are now celebrating this exciting new chapter with us.’’
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