Mark Gutman/Daily NewsPeter and Patricia Mayer with five of their eight children attending, John Mayer, Sue Mayer, Sandy King, David Mayer and Patrick Mayer at Connect55+ in Warsaw on Friday. Missing are Peter Mayer and Cindy Mayer. Steve Mayer passed.
Mark Gutman/Daily NewsPeter and Patricia Mayer toast their 73 years of marriage with a glass of champagne at Connect55+ in Warsaw on Friday.
Mark Gutman/Daily NewsPeter and Patricia Mayer cut the cake at Friday’s celebration.
Mark Gutman/Daily NewsPeter and Patricia Mayer with five of their eight children attending, John Mayer, Sue Mayer, Sandy King, David Mayer and Patrick Mayer at Connect55+ in Warsaw on Friday. Missing are Peter Mayer and Cindy Mayer. Steve Mayer passed.
Mark Gutman/Daily NewsDavid Mayer pours a glass of champagne for his parents, Peter and Patricia Mayer, celebrating their 73 years of marriage.
WARSAW — On Sunday, it will be 73 years since the city guy and the farmer’s daughter were married.
However, the celebration began early for Peter and Patricia Mayer, who sat Friday at Connect55+, surrounded by family and fellow residents of the senior living community. Before they could have any cake or open the cards they had been given, Pete and Pat had to face some tough questions.
“How old were you when you met?” someone at one of the tables said.
“I was 19 and she was 18 when we married ...” Pete said.
“How many kids?” someone else asked.
“We had eight (five boys and three girls),” Pete answered. “Our oldest died of lung cancer a few years ago.”
The questions continued: “How many grandchildren?”
“I don’t know.” Pete replied as laughter broke out around the room.
When asked what longtime secret the couple had, but added, “We had a thing going, when we got married, that one would be the boss for five years and then it would change,” as the room erupted in laughter louder than before.
Family and residents at Connect 55+ in Warsaw came together on Friday September 16, 2022 to help celebrate Peter and Patricia Mayer's marriage of 73 years.
The Mayers, who said “I do” on Sept. 18, 1949, were grateful to those who came to celebrate with them Friday.
“We appreciate that you all came to see us, help us celebrate. Thank you,” Pete told them.
They both had a chance to share their thoughts on the longevity of their marriage.
“It was just supposed to be, that’s all,” Pete said.
When it was Pat’s turn to answer, she also kept her response simple. “We didn’t die,” she said to more laughter and some applause from the crowd.
Pete said their kids were very helpful.
“All our kids helped us on everything we needed to do, so it wasn’t a problem,” he remembered. “And things were easier in those days than they are now. Everybody had supper together. Family — we were a family. It worked and now we still have a family because our kids help us. They’ll do grocery shopping and drive us — they’ll do all that stuff.”
Pete says they go to Yummies Ice Cream in Warsaw quite often.
Five of the couple’s children were there for the party — John Mayer, Sue Mayer, Sandy King, David Mayer and Patrick Mayer.
Pete and Pat first met after Pete’s dad bought a summer place in Pike that was next door to Pat’s family’s dairy farm.
“He bought it in about ‘45 and we got married in ‘49,” Pete Mayer said.
They first lived in Warsaw on Prospect Street in an apartment, but since then lived in “numerous” other places, he said.
Of Friday’s celebration, Pete said, “It’s overwhelming. We made a lot of friends. This Connect55+) is a friendly place.”
Their daughter, Sandy King, said the family will have its own get-together on Sunday to celebrate the Mayers’ 73rd anniversary.
Of Friday’s celebration in the Connect55+ dining area, King said, “This location is excellent for socialization for the mature adult. There’s so many activities here. This place is very welcoming.
Connect 55+ Coordinator Jill Tilford came up with the idea for Friday’s party.
“I went to Pete and Pat about three weeks ago and asked them if I could do this. They said that would be wonderful because, for the last few years, they haven’t been able to celebrate due to COVID,” she said. “I said it would be my privilege and honor to do this for them.”
Tilford said the Mayers have lived at Connect55+ for about three, 3 1/2 years.
“I love organizing stuff like this. It just all fell together,” Tilford said of the celebration for Pete and Pat Mayer. “I couldn’t do it without the help and support of some of the residents here that are currently helping me now pass out cake and stuff like that.
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