For the first time in history, a couple is as likely to be
parted by divorce as by death. In a time when some marriages last
as little as 48 hours, the achievement of remaining faithful for 50
years is a true milestone.
For the first time in history, a couple is as likely to be parted by divorce as by death. In a time when some marriages last as little as 48 hours, the achievement of remaining faithful for 50 years is a true milestone.
Hugh and Barbara Gailey publicly declared their love for each other before a large gathering of family and friends last Saturday at Gilroy’s United Methodist Church, as they renewed the vows they first made to each other on June 20, 1954.
South Valley Symphony Concert Master Beverly Olivier-Blount sang ”Because,” ”Always,” and ”The Lord’s Prayer.” Victoria Morton, Kathy and Josh Hopkins, and Marilyn George provided a string ensemble for the occasion.
Karla Schlesinger emceed the event, and professional photographer Scott Lance took photos of each wedding guest. Guests included El Roble Principal Mike Nebesnick, and a number of Barbara’s former students and colleagues.
Dave Bozzo of the Golf Course Grill provided an excellent meal. Barbara and Hugh’s daughter-in-law, Gina Gailey, invested 20 hours making the beautiful wedding cake from scratch. Their son gave the toast, while their four grandchildren made everyone smile. Virginia Bendel was hostess, Olga Galletti was official cake-cutter, Kristina Pena served party guests, and Joe Charles was custodian.
There were tears in many eyes as Barbara and Hugh each renewed their vows ”for better, for worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, to love, honor, and to cherish all the days of my life.”
Both were raised in Nebraska, where Barbara met Hugh in 1952 while she was walking along crying after a terrible day of practice teaching, and not paying close attention to where she was going. ”I met him as I walked under a ladder,” she says, but rather than being bad luck, it turned out to be good luck for both of them. Barbara remembers looking up and catching a glimpse of bell bottom trousers while Hugh was washing windows.
Hugh was struck by her sense of fair play and strong-willed character. Not to mention how lovely she was. He called her a couple of days later to see how she was doing, and her initial reaction was, ”Hugh who?”
After he explained who he was, they ended up going out on their first date that weekend. Her family was less than thrilled, not wanting her to date a man from Laurel, Nebraska, which they considered a ”mud hole,” but Hugh eventually won their acceptance.
The story of their first anniversary brought laughter from everyone as they told it with the great sense of humor for which they are both known. At their first celebration, Barbara and Hugh were out dancing when suddenly Barbara began performing some very odd dance steps which were unfamiliar to Hugh. It turns out a wasp had gotten under her dress and had begun stinging her. ”She got nailed about seven or eight times, in rather delicate areas I might add,” describes Hugh.
”The romance was gone that night,” Barbara declares.
When Hugh was hired as an Analyst in Research and Development for Lockheed, Barbara and Hugh came to California, where they eventually settled in this area back when Gilroy’s population was a paltry 9,000. Hugh commuted to work in Sunnyvale for 25 years, while Barbara taught in the Gilroy school system for 27 years and volunteered for 10.
”If you had to pick one word to give to a couple who are getting married today as a recommendation on how to stay married, what would it be?” asked party guest Edna. Barbara answered, ”Trust. I can trust this man anywhere. If he says he’s going to the grocery store and he’ll be back in 30 minutes, he comes back in 29 and a half.”
When asked how they have survived all the challenges and difficulties of 50 years together, they advise others: ”Friendship – we’re still really good friends. Friendship and trust is what you’ve got to have.”
