Couples share secrets of long and happy marriages

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WARWICK – A ceremonial Huppah stands strong and proud on the grounds of The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence in Warwick. The Huppah, or wedding canopy, is symbolic of a couple’s first home together.

At Tamarisk, there are six couples, who have been married for 30 to 70 years. Recently, we asked them to share their secrets to a long and happy union.

“Don’t think about it” is the advice Gertrude (Gert) Stein-Nelson gave when asked for the secret to her 30-year marriage to Sam.

Al and Miriam (Mim) Feinstein said their secret is simple: “Mutual respect.” It must work because they have been living happily ever after for 72 years!

Seena Dittelman stated about her marriage: “Take it a day at a time.” She and her husband, Martin, have been married for 64 years, and Seena says that always being there for each other and understanding that marriage is “a work in progress” gets them through.

At a time when younger generations are challenged by working through difficult times, relationships such as these can be wonderful role models.

Maurice and Yetta Glicksman met when they were just 15 and 13, respectively, and Maurice offered this advice to young people: “It’s about give and take. You have to talk about it.” Maurice and Yetta Glicksman have been talking about it for 67 years.

In years past, couples often met in the course of their daily routines or by introduction. Claire Lane reminisced about meeting her husband, Howard, at their place of work, Rhode Island Hospital Trust Bank, in the 1950s. She said, “I knew right away I would marry him!” And she did! They are still very much in love 59 years later.

Ed and Fran Weinstein are another long-lasting couple: more than 60 years.

 It is clear that these couples know how to combine support and compromise with respect, deep pride and love for each other. In addition, they share a belief that home is wherever they are - together.

As these elegant couples reminisced about their wedding day and years of marriage, it was evident that they all remember and continue to live by vows taken in the wedding ceremony and from Song of Solomon 6:3: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

Mazal tov to these sterling members of our community!

SUSAN ADLER is the director of marketing and JENNIFER FELDMAN is the project manager at The Phyllis Siperstein Assisted Living Residence in Warwick.

weddings, seniors, tamarisk