Never too old: Couple in their 70s exchange vows
BEVERLY — This Valentine’s Day was one to remember for Herman Stacy, 77, and Lola Stackhouse, 76, as they said wedding vows and pledged their love to one another in the presence of family, friends and fellow residents of Muskingum Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Friday afternoon.
About a year ago, Stackhouse came to the facility and completely changed Stacy’s life.
“When she came, she just kind of lit up his world. She’s delightful to be around anyways but she really has made a huge difference in his life just being here,” Cherise Offenberger, admissions, marketing and activities director, said. Shortly after they first met, it was evident they had feelings for each other, she said.
“They have the same personalities. A lot of the things she likes to do, he also likes to do,” Offenberger said.
After bonding through card games, sitting on the front porch together and going on outings, they became inseparable, Offenberger said.
During their first date at Rolling Hills Pay Lake, Stackhouse not only caught a 35-pound catfish, she caught Stacy’s heart.
One day while enjoying a game of Rummy, Stacy asked her to be his wife.
Generally on Valentine’s Day, Muskingum Skilled Nursing throws a party similar to that of a prom. Since they knew Stacy and Stackhouse wanted to get married, they decided to change things up a little bit to put on a wedding for them, Offenberger said.
“All the residents have been very excited for it. They all got their own little invitations (and) a little tiny picture card of them,” Offenberger said. “They all eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together so they know what’s going on with one another.”
When asked about their favorite things about the facility, they said each other, staff, friends and activities.
“They’re really fun. It’s been an interesting and very fun experience,” Offenberger said. “We go above and beyond for our residents. We are a very active, fun and close-knit home.”
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.