MaryLou and Clancy Overturf  celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 5.

They met and fell in love one week before Clancy went in the Army Air Corps for almost three years. MaryLou wrote him every day of the war and their love deepened. They married within three months after he got out, short on money and long on love; building their home in North Seattle. He worked two jobs in 40 years — never missing a day’s work

— and bulldozed home sites to pay for the lumber. They worked side-by-side to make their home; paying off the lumber bill monthly and never had a mortgage or debt. Both of them raised in poverty by single mothers during the Great Depression, there was no way they were going down that path.

Raising three children, Clancy made a playground on their adjoining lot where all the neighborhood kids gathered, keeping MaryLou busy. With time, she enjoyed a secretarial career at the University of Washington. They got to travel the world.

Whidbey Island ushered in their truly golden years. MaryLou and Clancy were ambassadors to its incredible peace and beauty with hundreds of people by operating a bed-and-breakfast for a decade, and they made friendships for life. It was fun and rewarding. Clancy passed the fireman’s boot camp at age 65, serving at Saratoga Passage going strong through age 75, with honors. Last year, for a short minute, they moved to the mainland. Missing their neighborhood and Whidbey so much, Clancy and MaryLou happily returned within months. Their family says their love today is deeper than ever.

Well-wishers can send the couple a card at 3770 S. Bells Beach Road, Langley, WA 98260.