Stanley and Doris Gurda met in high school and married at St. Stephen’s Church in Warwick on Oct. 1, 1950.
Lifelong Pine Island residents, they have weathered their share of trials, raising two children, farming the Black Dirt and now have six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
When Doris’ health declined, she moved into Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in October 2019.
Stanley visited regularly after he recovered from a broken hip and they held hands for hours.
When the pandemic struck, Stanley could no longer see Doris and he sheltered in Maryland with his daughter and her family.
This past week, they were finally able to see each other, no small thanks to the wonderful care provided by the heroic staff at the center.
Doris had contracted the virus in April and finally was considered recovered.
But they have to visit at a distance.
They hope they will both live long enough to once again hold hands and celebrate 70 years of a love story.
This story and these photos were submitted by their daughter Sue DeGraba.