Matrimonial Monday: Anna Marie Gillen and Charles William Summers

The years of the Great Depression continued in 1935.  However, life still went on during this time.

Charles "Charlie" William (Soltis) Summers had returned to Long Island, New York from his second tour of duty in the Army in 1930  He was working in a gas station on Main Street in Hempstead.

Anna Marie Gillen was still living at the home of her parents. Edward and Caroline Gillen in North Merrick, Long Island, New York.

Charlie told his life story to his youngest daughter in 2001.  In those memories, Charlie mentions that while at a skating rink, one of his friends and one of Anna's friends introduced them.  Apparently, they hit it off and after skating, Charlie took Anna for a cup of coffee.  Anna called him a "Big Spender" for buying her coffee!

On Saturday, September 7, 1935, at the age of 24, Anna and Charles, who was 31, were married in Roosevelt, NY.  

A copy of the wedding invitation from the collection of ©Virginia Summers Olsen.

Anna and Charles were married by Rev. Lewis of Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Roosevelt, NY.  The best man was Charles' best friend Reginald (Reggie) Varshay and the Maid of Honor was Anna's cousin Martha Schmitz.  St. Paul's was in the next village over from North Merrick where Anna lived at her parent's home on Rhode Ave.

Copy of marriage certificate from the collection of ©Virginia Summers Olsen

Photos from the collection of ©Virginia Summers Olsen.  Center picture is outside the front of St. Paul's Church.

Picture of the wedding party from the collection of ©Virginia Summers Olsen.  You might have thought that the groom would be the one directly behind the bride, but Charles is third from the right in the picture.  The man directly behind Anna is the best man, Reggie.

After the wedding, the reception was held in the basement of Anna's parents' house.  Family friend Mr. Boettcher came with a 4 piece band and played so everyone could dance and have fun! 

Afterward, Anna and Charlie went on their honeymoon.  In his memories, he says that he had a brand new Chevy Roadster with a rumble seat.  They took a friend of Anna's, that worked with her, and her husband on their honeymoon.  Apparently, the couple never had one.  The couple sat in the rumble seat which had a curtain over the top of it.  The couples toured New York State and went to Niagara Falls for a week.

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What would have been the 85^th anniversary of their wedding is this fall.   Here are some pictures of their 50^th and 60^th anniversary parties.

50^thAnniversary in 1985.  From the collection of ©Virginia Summers Olsen.

60^th Anniversary in 1995.  From the collection of ©Virginia Summers Olsen.

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How I'm related to Anna and Charles:

Anna Marie Gillen = Charles William Summers

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                                  Mom = Dad

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                                           Me

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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a series of weekly prompts to get you to think about an ancestor and share something about them.  The weekly prompt is provided by www.amyjohnsoncrow.com.  The prompt for Week 23 is "Wedding."