Charlotte Hall, MD – On Friday, staff and family gathered to celebrate the 70th wedding anniversary of two of our residents, William and Madelyn Pettis. 70 YEARS!
Their journey began just three weeks before Mr. Pettis was drafted in to the Army and sent overseas to serve during WWII. The two communicated only through letters, some of which their daughter saved, for the next 2 1/2 years until he returned to Rhode Island in January 1946. Mr. Pettis, a Washington, D.C. native, was disappointed to learn that Rhode Island did not offer a taxi service, and walked miles to find her and ask her to be his wife.
The Pettis’ moved to D.C. and married on May 14, 1946. They have 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
The secret, you ask? According to Mr. Pettis, “We stayed busy and always did things together.” Their daughter, Janet, who organized the celebration, said the couple never fought or raised their voices. Mrs. Pettis added, “I love him to pieces. You just gotta stick with it.”
