After 61 years of marital bliss, couple take to aisle again

Elaborate ceremony held at assisted-living facility.

By: David Campbell
   Life affirmations can come in many different forms and in all stages of living.
   Owen and Margaret Waltman, residents at the Acorn Glen assisted-living facility off Mount Lucas Road in Princeton Township, made such an affirmation when they renewed their marriage vows Monday after 61 years as husband and wife.
   The ceremony, held on the occasion of their anniversary and presided over by Chaplain Bobby Rampey, was witnessed by three of the couple’s four adult children, a couple of dozen friends and acquaintances, staff and fellow residents at Acorn Glen.
   "Are we ready?" asked Mr. Waltman, 85, as he and his wife and children made final preparations in the couple’s third-floor suite. He and two of his sons, Allen and Owen Jr., were helping him with his tuxedo.
   Ms. Waltman, who is 82, waited patiently in the outer room, bouquet in hand.
   "This is better than the first time, isn’t it?" Mr. Waltman observed as the party left the suite and headed downstairs to Acorn Glen’s main community area, where the ceremony was held.
   The Waltmans were first married on June 30, 1942. The couple lived for 57 years in a house in Westfield, which the family recently sold, said Susan Waltman, their daughter, who came down from Saratoga, N.Y., for the ceremony. The couple have lived at Acorn Glen for almost a year.
   The couple were high school sweethearts, and her father claims to have raised the funds for the wedding ring he gave his bride at the first ceremony years ago gambling "at the races," the daughter said.
   Both are college graduates — Mr. Waltman has a degree in chemistry from Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania and Ms. Waltman has a degree in home economics from the University of Delaware, Susan Waltman continued.
   Mr. Waltman worked in production control for American Hoechst Corp. In addition to their four children — son Mark Waltman, who lives in West Windsor, was unable to attend the ceremony Monday — they have seven grandchildren, Susan Waltman said.
   According to Allen Waltman, who traveled from Milton, Mass., to attend the ceremony, "It’s a sweet and enduring relationship that could well go 61 years more."
   On Monday, as the couple descended the stairs to the join the company gathered for the ceremony, their arrival was accompanied a cellist playing a Bach composition. The room, like the couple, was decked out in wedding finery.
   Fern Spadafino, Acorn Glen’s managing director, who is credited by staff with coming up with the idea for the vow-renewal ceremony, looked on as the chaplain began with those familiar words: "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today …"
   "They’re a wonderful couple," Ms. Spadafino said. "It’s just a wonderful setting."
   According to Acorn Glen Community Relations Director Christine Schonewolf, many of the 90 or so residents in the assisted-living community had been gearing up for the ceremony since before the weekend.
   "It’s been very exciting around here," Ms. Schonewolf said. "Many of the residents were involved in helping us decorate and prepare for this event today."
   The ceremony Monday was followed by a wedding luncheon, a reception, music and dancing, a traditional cake cutting and a throwing of the bridal bouquet, she said.
   According to Acorn Glen’s MaryLou Harmon, "Owen’s a fun-loving and generous guy, and he loves to dance. And Marge, she’s just a doll.
   "They each have great qualities to contribute here," Ms. Harmon added.