Secret to a 70-year marriage? Forgiveness, love, compassion

Published 1:30 am Thursday, March 16, 2017

EDMONDS — Their life together began 71 years ago.

It was 1946. Eldon Piercy, now 90, had been home for almost a year after World War II. He was bringing ships ashore on Okinawa when he heard about the victory.

He went to a dance at a ballroom in Seattle where he spotted Doris Piercy, now 88.

“She was a cute kid, and she still is,” he said.

Though he couldn’t dance, he asked her anyway.

On Friday, the Snohomish County couple is celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. They have traveled the world and cared for each after surgeries. Doris Piercy said her husband has always been reliable. It’s his best quality, she said.

What has made their marriage lasting, they said, is forgiveness, love and compassion.

And perhaps a little bit of patience.

When Eldon Piercy talks about how they met, he weaves in yarns from his Navy days. He talks crisply about the four battles he fought during World War II. He recalls Gen. Douglas MacArthur speaking in the Philippines before the Battle of Leyte.

“Eldon, this is supposed to be about our wedding,” Doris Piercy said.

“I’m getting to the beginning of it,” he replied.

Doris peered up to the ceiling. “We’ll be here until midnight,” she said.

After the dance in 1946, Eldon Piercy took her out for dinner. They ordered chow mein.

At the time, Doris worked at a telephone company in Bothell. Eldon would call and ask for Operator No. 5. The couple would chat and make plans for their next date. They would go dancing. Other times, they’d go to the movies. Westerns were Eldon’s favorite. He grew up riding an Appaloosa to school in Idaho.

Within the year, the couple was engaged. Eldon had pawned his violin to pay for the ring.

Not long after their engagement, he was stationed on Terminal Island between Long Beach and San Pedro, California. Doris stayed in Bothell.

The best part of the story came next, he said. He called Doris asking if she would come down to California and apply for their marriage license.

“Lo and behold, she took me up on it,” he said.

They got married on St. Patrick’s Day in a small chapel in Whittier, just outside of Los Angeles. Eldon’s best man was a friend from the Navy and his wife was the maid of honor. The rest of the guests included the minister and the pianist.

They started their life together in Long Beach, eventually returning in 1952 to Washington where they had three kids.

The family of five would go hiking in the Central Cascades and backpacking on the San Juan islands. Doris is a great pie baker. She worked for Seafirst, which is now known as Bank of America, for 31 years. Eldon worked as a milkman, carpenter and truck driver before a 30-year stint with Canteen Vending. He was in charge of cigarettes, games and music.

When their kids grew up and left home, they, too, left the nest. They have traveled to more than 40 countries. Eldon used to keep a map and checked off the places they visited. White pins marked where he traveled in the Navy. Colored pins indicated the places he went with his bride. Portugal, Greece and Norway are their favorites.

Health challenges now make traveling difficult. Doris has had two hip replacements. Eldon had a quadruple bypass in 1990. Doctors also have placed seven stents in his heart, replaced two knees and an aortic valve.

But they keep going.

He has nicknamed Doris “Dr. Piercy” because she makes sure he is taking his medication and gets the care he needs.

They plan to celebrate their anniversary Friday with friends and family during dinner at Arnies Restaurant in Edmonds.

Doris Piercy has one piece of advice for couples. It’s simple. If you’re in love, get married.

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.