Donald and Louise

Oakes

WILTON – Donald and Louise Oakes of Wilton were honored on Sept. 17 on their golden wedding anniversary.

The event was held at Murray Hall in Livermore Falls and was hosted by their seven children and spouses, as follows: Debra Marquis of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Diane Jannelle of Westbrook, Dolores Tuttle of Wilton, David Oakes and wife, Sue, of East Dixfield, Donald Oakes and wife, Teresa, of Livermore, Doreen Swain and husband, Shepard, of New Vineyard and Daniel Oakes and wife, Jonnie, of Ashville, N.C. The couple also has 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who were also part of the anniversary.

The couple, along with the mother of Mrs. Oakes, Alice Cornelio, were presented with gold corsages and the seven children also wore the same to honor their parents. A special centerpiece of gold and yellow roses, lilies, astroemeria, daisies and white stock decorated the head table. Also a vase with seven gold roses, representing the seven children, was displayed on the gift table.

The hall was decorated with gold balloons and a large picture of the couple on their wedding day. Also fresh flowers decorated the guest tables.

The champagne toast was given by the original best man, James Cornelio of Brunswick. Also attending was Angie Lowe of Walpole, the original matron of honor. The seven children were introduced, along with the grandchildren. An Italian buffet was provided and dinner music was played.

A three-tier homemade cake with fresh gold roses was designed by Lucy Henry and was a gift to the couple from sister Gloria and brother-in-law, Dick Tardiff. The cake top was the one used by Mrs Oakes’ parents, Bennie and Alice Cornelio, for their 50th wedding anniversary in 1969. They were married for 68 years.

While the cake was being served, guests were invited to watch a video taking the couple on a trip down memory lane. The video was done by Paul Taitt, husband of their granddaughter, Heidi. Both reside in London, England. They also danced to the song “Look at Us.”

Shepard Swain, son-in-law, and daughter, Doreen, gave a short tribute to the guests of honor. Debra Marquis, oldest daughter of the couple, spoke on her fondest memories of her childhood with her parents and brothers and sisters. She also sang songs to her parents and guests.

Mr. Oakes and the former Louise “Dolly” Cornelio were married on Sept. 17, 1955, at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in Riley, by the Rev. William J. Kelly.

Mr. Oakes is retired from Otis Paper Company, where he worked for 45 years.

Mrs. Oakes has worked in several department stores in the area and is currently manager at Garden Island Laundromat at Jay Plaza.

Their were 100 guests present, including Mrs. Oakes’ mother, Alice Cornelio, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Feb. 21. She resides at Pinewood Terrace in Farmington. Mrs. Oakes has nine brothers and sister, many good friends and more relatives that all attended.

A special large plate was presented to the couple with a picture drawn on it of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where they were married, and also their names and date of marriage. The gift was given to them by a granddaughter, Heidi, and husband, Paul Taitt. Many other gifts and cards were received.

Guests attended from Jay, Wilton, Farmington, Livermore, Brunswick, New Vineyard, Walpole, Portland, Westbrook, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands and London, England.