Married For 70 Years, Local Couple Renews Vows

DANVERS (CBS) - As part of a huge celebration of married couples on the North Shore, a couple who have been married for 70 years renewed their vows on Saturday.

Thayne Symmes, 92 and wife Karin, 90 both said "I do."

The two are long-time Danvers residents who now live in Essex.

Calvary Episcopal Church hosted the ceremony as part of this year's Danvers Family Festival. It's actually the first time that marriage vow renewals have been part of the festivities.

To mark the celebration, the church had its original marriage registries on display, which included the signed marriage certificate for the Symmes, dated May 10, 1942.

The couple has five children, 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. One of their sons passed away a few years back.

When asked about the secrets to their long marriage, they said avoiding financial stress, getting involved in the community, love, respect, and Thayne knowing when to keep his mouth shut.

"He doesn't argue at all," Karin said. "If I have something, he just disappears for a little while."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports