Long, happy marriages for Curtis Park seniors

By Janice Horne
Viewpoint Staff Writer

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, romance is in the air at the Senior Center at Sierra 2. Many of the couples who are active participants at the Senior Center have forged long lasting marriages that are strong examples of teamwork, commitment, patience, respect, and love. Listening to three of these couples talk about what has made their marriages successful is enlightening.

Tom and Caroline Carroll of Coleman Way are the baby boomers of the group, having met in college during the social upheaval of the 1960s.

"We've based our relationship on shared values and interests, a desire to know more about the world, and a willingness to venture out,"said Caroline. "We traveled almost the entire first year we were married… We learned to work together and to put up with each other's foibles."

During their nearly 38 years of married life, they have also learned from one another. "I run my ideas past Caroline at the breakfast table," says Tom. Caroline, in return, says she's learned to be more optimistic watching Tom's approach to life.

"A good lasting relationship is based on love, commitment and the fact that time flies," said Caroline. Caroline spent three years as the Sierra 2 Senior Center coordinator; now retired, she and Tom continue to volunteer their time and attend many of the Senior Center activities.

Shirley and Douglas Duff of 23rd Street for the last 32 years, originally met in San Francisco in 1960 when Douglas was singing with Ronnie Kemper.

"I was attracted to his great voice," said Shirley.

"She attracted me with the beautiful bare-shoulder dress she was wearing," remembers Douglas. Married nearly 47 years, they say their marriage has been based on shared family goals and sustained by, not surprisingly, the fun times they've shared together dancing.

Douglas says that he's learned from Shirley to look forward to

tomorrow and Shirley credits Douglas with teaching her to be optimistic and generous. They believe that fun with their family has made for a lasting relationship; now they say the foundation laid in earlier years together enables them to enjoy yearly cruises to a variety of places.

"We love meeting and getting acquainted with our neighbors at the Senior Center," said Shirley.

Of the three couples, Jack and June French share the longest marriage at 57 years. Residents on Marshall Way for 37 years, they now reside in Land Park.

Jack and June are stalwarts at the Senior Center, participating in activities such as yoga, the monthly potluck, and volunteering as needed. June is also a member of the Senior Committee.

The couple married in 1949 after meeting in their church group four years earlier. "When I first observed June, she struck me as compatible to my personality," said Jack. "She was demure, quiet, non-aggressive, cute, blond and blue-eyed."

"Jack was good looking, intelligent, nice, and persistent," offers June. They found compatibility with similar moral values, common family backgrounds, and shared enjoyment of group activities.

"Jack's patience and love and their joint commitment to a lifetime relationship has contributed to the longevity of our marriage," said June.

"I've come to believe that whatever she says is right, and whatever I say, she's right," joked Jack. June and Jack credit their participation at the Senior Center for providing them with new friendships and allowing them to maintain their link to Curtis Park.

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