Currently, I am on a mission to find the couple who has been married (or together) the longest in each New England state.

During my quest, I had the pleasure of meeting the family of Gertrude and James Connor from Hooksett, New Hampshire. Gertrude and James married each other on April 14, 1945.

Below is their wedding picture, back when James was a Navy Seabee.

Karen Connor-Yearke
Karen Connor-Yearke
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Born in 1923, James just celebrated his 99th birthday at the end of July, and Gertrude (98) will follow in April.

The couple's long-lasting love is a local love story made for Hollywood. All of the information about the couple came from their daughter, Karen Connor-Yearke.

According to Karen, Gertrude began traveling with James while he was in the Navy.

After James's time in the Navy, they built a house in 1952 in Hooksett, NH. They still reside in the same house to this day.

Karen Connor-Yearke
Karen Connor-Yearke
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Living together was not enough for this wholesome New Hampshire couple. The two decided to work together, too.

According to Karen, Gertrude worked at Pandora's Mill in Manchester, NH, for over 40 years as a marrow operator. Two years after Gertrude's start, James started working at the same mill, taking yarn and making it into giant squares and eventually sweaters or other sewn clothing.

Their entire lives revolved around each other. “They were always together,” said Karen. They would leave for work together at 6:30 am, have lunch together daily, and of course, leave together.

Karen Connor-Yearke
Karen Connor-Yearke
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Karen recalled many funny and sweet memories of her parents. The one that stood out to me the most went like this:

After Gertrude had a stroke years ago, she went through a period of not being able to recognize some of her loved ones. It was scary. She could not remember her children, grandchildren, and worse, the love of her life, James.

Karen described one of the most romantic and passionate memories of her mother and father. It was when James grabbed Gertrude's face and "with both hands around her cheeks he said 'you're my girl,'" said Karen.

Unsure of who he was, James held Gertrude's face and repeated the words, "you're my girl."

Goosebumps.

Karen Connor-Yearke
Karen Connor-Yearke
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To the Connors, congratulations on 77 years of marriage. A lifetime of love and memories for the both of you still has you two joking around with each other, at least according to your daughter.

My quest to find the couple who has been married or together the longest in each state continues. If you know of any couples in New Hampshire who have been together for more than 77 years, reach out to me.

If someone in Maine or Massachusetts is near this timeframe, also reach out. My email is logan.sherwood@townsquaremedia.com.

Below is the marriage advice from a variety of couples who have been together for a long time in New Hampshire.

25 Pieces of Marriage Advice From New Englanders

Some are serious, others are funny, and all are food for thought!

Here Are 14 New Hampshire Restaurants That Have Been Featured on Food TV Shows

Top 10 Roast Beef Sandwiches in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire

Using the three way grading scale, see the top 10 roast beef sandwiches along the seacoast of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

 

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