Local couples celebrate 50-plus years of marriage

When you are married for 50 years or longer, you have reason to celebrate. Thirty-five couples from four churches within Blessed Trinity and St. Patrick’s Parish, including St. Margaret Mary-Apalachin, St. John’s-Newark Valley and St. James-Waverly, along with St. Patrick’s-Owego, were honored at an Anniversary Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Feb. 13.  Following the anniversary Mass, couples were invited to attend a Sweetheart Luncheon in the Parish Hall.

Blessed Trinity and St. Patrick’s Parish has hosted the event for about two decades. Father Thomas Valenti, celebrated the Mass with assistance from Father Anthony Amato, and Deacon Michael Donovan delivered readings.

Father Valenti welcomed the long-time married couples and stressed the message that matrimony will continue to reside in you if you not only listen with your ears, but also, “Listen with your heart.” Father Valenti read selected prayers and blessed the 35 couples in attendance.

Inside the Valentine-themed and decorated Parish Hall, the couples were seated for a special meal prepared by volunteers from the Blessed Trinity churches and served by the St. John’s youth group.

All couples attending enjoyed fellowship together, including Al and Flo Gillow of Newark Valley, who will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary in June. The Gillow’s have nine children, 24 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with number 22 due this month.

Interestingly, Flo shared that two of her children, born in separate years, share the same birth date, Feb. 14.

The Gillow’s had previously assisted at the event before it was their turn to be honored for 50 years of marriage.

As for the Gillow’s wedding day in 1955, Flo recalls she arose early to attend an 8 a.m. Mass and receive communion. The couple said “I do” at St. Joseph’s Church in Sanitaria Springs and, after a couple of moves, today live in Newark Valley where they remain active at St. John’s Church.

When asked what aspects contribute to a long lasting marriage, Flo replied, “Having faith and trust.”

The couple recognized as being married the longest period of time was Ron and Brenda Dougherty of Owego. The Dougherty’s, who celebrated their 67th anniversary in December, have 10 living children and one child who passed away, along with 29 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.   

Ron commented, “It was nice to see all of the couples who have reached the milestone,” and noted that he was pleased to see young people participating at the event.

The Dougherty’s keep active in the community and also keep tabs on their family, some who still live in the area, but many who have relocated. A few, Ron said, have gravitated south for retirement, while others remain in the northeast within a five to six hour drive. The Dougherty’s especially enjoy getting out to see their grandchildren’s sports and other activities.

When asked what keeps the Dougherty’s going strong after 67 years, Ron replied, “Faith, family and friends,” and added, “I couldn’t have made this journey without a wonderful lady, my life partner, my wife.”