Buffalo Grove residents celebrate 72 years of marriage
When Anne Schwartz saw her husband of 72 years in the library of Herzl Elementary School in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, she knew she was in love.
“We were in the seventh grade. I knew at that moment he was the one for me.”
Martin and Anne, who live at Belmont Village in Buffalo Grove, started dating four years later at Manley High School in the East Garfield Park neighborhood and have been together ever since.
“We are as much in love today as we were on March 22, 1941, when we were married,” Martin said. “More so,” Anne quipped.
Anne is known as the comedian of the family. She makes Martin “belly laugh every single day,” he said.
Anne’s 94th birthday was on March 26. “We were married four days before her birthday, because she didn’t want to be older than me,” Martin, 93, explained with a giggle.
Not long after they were married, Martin entered the Navy and was shipped overseas to fight in World War II. Their only child, Susan, was a year old and taking her first steps. For laughs, Anne sent “pinup girl” photos of herself to Martin.
The 72 years haven’t been without trials and tribulations. Their daughter, Susan, passed away of scleroderma at age 51. But Martin and Anne remain positive and are grateful for everyday they have together. When asked their secret, they say it is each other.
“She’s the secret. She dotes on me every day, Martin said.
“That’s because I love him so much,” Anne said.