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Article updated: 2/22/2012 2:13 PM

World War II wedding gown gets new life - again

Silken threads link three generations

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Cay and Gene Voiland are shown on their wedding day, Feb. 19, 1946. Cay wore a dress made of silk from Gene's Air Force parachute. The Voilands just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary and reside in The Holmstad, a retirement community in Batavia.

Courtesy of Voiland family

Gene Voiland walks his daughter Ann down the aisle in 1981. Ann wore her mother Cay's dress.

Courtesy of Voiland family

Gallery Image

Cay and Gene Voiland with their granddaughter Celeste Riley and Celeste's new husband, Greg Brennecka.

Courtesy of Voiland family

Celeste (Riley) and Greg Brennecka married in October 2011. Celeste wore her grandmother Cay's silk World War II era wedding dress, making it three generations to walk down the aisle in the same gown.

Courtesy of Voiland family

About this Article

When Cay and Gene Voiland of Batavia married on Feb. 19, 1946, Cay's wedding dress was a rarity for a World War II era bride. It was made of silk from Gene's parachute. Cay never guessed it would be taken out of storage to be used again, twice. Daughter Ann and granddaughter Celeste have both worn the dress for their own trips down the aisle.