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Golden wedding anniversary celebrated Family and friends honour Yvonne and Douglas Norwegian's 50 years of marriage
Jeanne Gagnon
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 25, 2013
TTHEK'EHDELI/JEAN MARIE RIVER
Yvonne Norwegian said she never imagined her marriage, celebrated Sept. 21, 1963 in Fort Simpson, would last 50 years. She celebrated her golden wedding anniversary with her husband, Douglas Sr., this past weekend in Jean Marie River, surrounded by family and friends.
Betty Hardisty, left, was the bridesmaid, and Orest Watsyk, right, was the best man at the wedding of Yvonne and Douglas Norwegian 50 years ago. They, along with family and friends, gathered in Jean Marie River on Sept. 21 to mark the occasion. - photo courtesy of Wilbert Antoine
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"No, I never dreamt about it," said Yvonne, now 67. "I am surprised I am still stuck to one person."
The vows she made on her wedding day is the secret to her long marriage, said Yvonne.
"You've got to keep in your mind, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, til death do us apart. That's a very important," she said. "The vows are very important and the people who are in church, they're an important part of your marriage because they were your witnesses for what you said."
Asked what's in store for the future, Yvonne replied: "I don't know – another 50 years, I hope."
The marriage had obstacles, as any marriage does. At times the couple was happy, at others, not. At times it was good, at others it was bad, but they are still going strong, she added.
Friends and family gathered for a barbecue to mark the occasion, including the couple's fourth child, Wanda Norwegian. The couple has eight children – six girls and two boys – 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
"Just watching them go through the hard times, always sticking together when there's trouble and always be together with all of us, showing us what's right and wrong for them," she said. "They made mistakes and they told us that wasn't right."
Yvonne's brother, Wilbert Antoine, said the last time he was involved in a golden wedding anniversary celebration was in 1958 to mark his grandparents' 50th year of marriage. To his knowledge, he added, this was the last golden wedding anniversary in the region.
"It was a very historic day in the Deh Cho that my sister Yvonne and my brother-in-law Douglas were able to share the moment of their 50th anniversary with all of us who showed up. We honoured them," said Antoine. "It's been a long long time since 50th anniversaries have shown up in the Deh Cho and I was honoured to share the moment with my brother-in-law and my sister."
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