An observer couldn’t help but notice the tenderness and compassion Orin Zummach exuded towards his wife. New to Woodland Villa at the time, Administrator Jean-Marc Lanoue approached the couple and learned Orin and Gertrude have been married for 62 years.

“It was love at first sight,” says Orin of meeting Gertrude.

Orin first met Gertrude’s father at a church convention but it was actually Gertrude’s sister who introduced the lovebirds.

Gertrude agrees that when she laid eyes on Orin the feelings were mutual and credits “love at first sight” and her continuing affection for her husband the bonds that have kept them together.

Orin and Gertrude are one of two couples at the Long Sault long-term care home who have been married for more than six decades. Orin just moved into Woodland in October to be closer to his wife. He was commuting 30 minutes daily since she became a resident in August 2002.

Ken and Jean Thompson shared their wedding vows on June 1, 1938. Ken moved into Woodland Villa in October 1999 and Jean joined him four months later.

Jean-Marc says “it’s humbling” to have the couples, affectionately called “the honeymooners”, still much in love and living together.

“It’s special,” he says.

“It’s kind of nice to see people who are still in love. How many people do you know who have been married for 65 years?”

Aside from missing his wife, Orin was ready to move into Woodland because, “I’m getting a little feeble. I was tired of washing dishes,” he says, with a chuckle.

Living with Gertrude is like “a honeymoon all over again.” When asked how he and Gertrude spend time together at Woodland, he said: “That’s private.” Publicly, they enjoy dining together and attending the morning exercise class.

“It’s lovely,” says Gertrude about Orin and her together. They share a semi-private room, as do Ken and Jean.

Meanwhile, Jean says living with Ken is something she has been used to for most of her life.

“It’s lovely,” she says. “It’s always been like that.”

“Nowadays people don’t try (at relationships) but you (have to) if you love somebody.”

She notes her husband isn’t in as good health as she. Jean-Marc says, “I think it’s a comfort for her to be with him.” They spend time together in the lounge, listening to music and watching TV. “Ken spends most of his time finding Jean,” says Jean-Marc. “He doesn’t like being away from her for long.”

Jean and Ken spent most of their lives together in Iroquois and they both worked at the Caldwell Linen Factory there.

Orin and Gertrude lived in Lunenburg. Orin owned and operated a 700-acre dairy farm operation, which is now run by his son and grandson. Orin still goes back to check on things but he’s happy in his new home, with the love of his life.

“I could spend another 60 years with her.”