Monroeville couples celebrate 60-plus years of marriage at Valentine's Day vow renewals

Virginia Farkas was emotional about renewing her vows on Valentine’s Day with her husband of 62 years, Bernie.

But the main emotion she had about her wedding day makeup was slight annoyance.

“That’s as good as it’s going to get,” she said with a laugh, looking into her mirror as her daughter Lisa put the finishing touches on her eye shadow.

The Farkases joined Shirley, 83, and Norman Petrelli, 90, in a vow renewal ceremony Wednesday morning at Juniper Village, the Monroeville senior home where both couples live. It is the second year that Juniper Village staff have arranged the ceremony.

“We don’t have that many couples, so we want to make a day like this special for the couples who are here,” said Juniper Village Marketing and Sales Director Colleen Peluso.

Other local businesses pitched in as well: David’s Bridal supplied dresses, Gateway Hospice donated a wedding cake, Laura’s Florist sent flowers, and Suncrest Hospice provided the all-important Pittsburgh wedding staple: the cookie table.

The Farkases first met at a local Moose club. Virginia grew up in Irwin, and she said the key to a long happy marriage has been a healthy give-and-take.

“He helps me, and I help him,” she said. “I bet we’ve only had two times when we were really mad with one another in 60 years.”

“We got along all the time,” said Bernie, 89.

Shirley and Norman Petrelli met on a blind date at a drive-in movie theater in the South Hills before marrying in 1960. Shirley grew up in Brookline, and Norman in nearby Mt. Lebanon.

“We just loved one another and always got along,” Shirley said.

The Farkas’ daughter Lisa, who came from her home in North Carolina to attend the ceremony, said it was beautiful.

“It’s a great tribute to their marriage and each other,” she said. “They were in Florida for a little while, and for my dad especially, a lot of his friends had moved away or passed away, so coming here and being able to be together at this stage in their lives has made them both more energetic.”

“Energetic” was the right word to describe 85-year-old Virginia as she sat with her husband waiting to head downstairs for the ceremony.

“I can’t sit still,” she said. “We were never expecting this. It makes you feel good, but it does make you think of the residents here who’ve lost someone.”

The ceremony wasn’t without tragedy — a third couple who’d been married more than six decades, Nancy and Jerry Rause, was unable to take part when Nancy’s health took a turn for the worse and she died the night before the event.

Juniper Village Director Lisa Dalla Betta said it was a very emotional day.

“Our owner is very big on this being the ‘third act’ of our residents’ lives,” she said. “Our motto is ‘nurturing the spirit of life,’ and this is part of that.”