Kathy and Jim met when Kathy’s friend abandoned her at a 1970 engagement party in Broomall full of strangers.  Jim offered her a ride home.

That led to a first date and, eventually, marriage, writes Kellie Patrick Gates for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Both came from large Catholic families. In fact, they married at the chapel at Villanova University. 

Kathy was always eager to learn. She ended up with a 25-year job at Villanova’s Career Center while earning her degree in liberal arts with a minor in business.

Jim, a Vietnam veteran, had a career in property and casualty insurance. They moved around a lot until 1982, when they settled first in Drexel Hill, then Garnet Valley where they still live.

They have three children, Terri, Scott and John.

These days, Jim, 77, and Kathy, 73, travel the world. Jim paints landscapes and builds miniature towns for his model trains.

Kathy sews and embroiders gifts—particularly baby blankets. In the early pandemic days she sewed 1,000 masks.

They celebrated their 50^th anniversary in a castle in Scotland.

“I love that we laugh a lot and that we’re still very comfortable in each other’s company,” Kathy said. “Life has been so good to us.”

Read more about Kathy and Jim in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Eight years ago, this couple was recognized as the longest married couple in America.