The town of Marion came out to Benjamin Cushing Community Center in April to celebrate a double centennial birthday for married couple, Ann and Wilson Wingate, who each turn 100 this year.
The Marion residents have lived a life of adventure together, traveling to 28 countries in their 70 years of marriage, including their favorite destination, Scotland, and raising a family that now includes five children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The Wingates met overseas, traveled the world together, lived on the Cape, in Mattapoisett, and in Florida and then, nearly 20 years ago, moved to Marion.
Their relationship was marked by living boldly, good times and family. But for all their adventures, Ann Wingate said she believes the secret to a good marriage or any good partnership lies closer to home.
“Find something you enjoy doing together,” she advised, adding that for her and Will, that has meant a daily game of backgammon and cribbage.
“Every day at 5 o’clock for years we have played backgammon,” Ann said. “Three games and then one game of cribbage. And, he makes a chart of who’s winning.”
Asked who’s ahead, she grinned holding her fingers slightly apart to show she holds a small lead over her husband.
The Wingates met in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1952 when Ann ran the Officer’s Club for the Office of Strategic Services and Will was in the Air Force. They married in 1954 in the United States, their daughter Carolyn Wingate said.
Will worked as a construction manager in New Bedford and Virginia and later in Florida when building in the Northeast slowed down. Her dad responded to the building slump by moving to find new building projects, Carolyn said.
“He was like, well, we’re either going to move to Florida, Saudi Arabia, or Arkansas,” she said. “So we went to Florida.”
While in Florida, Ann managed a travel agency.
Last month’s birthday celebration was hosted on April 10 by the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging because it is the 100th day of the year.
The Wingates themselves will turn 100 later this year, Will in May, and Ann in July, Ann said. Music at the party was provided by Carolyn and her friends in a musical group called Best of Friends. The group sang popular old songs like Chapel of Love to an audience that included friends, family, and town and state officials.
Neighbors Ellen Perry and Mary Gallini came to say happy birthday to the couple who they have known for nearly 20 years. The two were part of a group of neighborhood women, including Ann, who met regularly for lunches and conversation.
That was back when the Wingates were younger – still in their 80s, Perry said.
“They are just good, good people,” she said. “I lived across the street from them and we’ve been friends ever sense.”
The Wingates expressed gratitude to the town and the people in it for the celebration.
“We so enjoy living in Marion and are especially fond of all the folks who give so much energy and time to the Council on Aging – how lucky are we all to live in a town that cares so much for older (and wiser!) community members,” the couple said in a written message to well-wishers. “Thanks to all of you who help make this town such a caring place to live.”
In his remarks at the party, Will added, “Ann and I greatly appreciate everybody coming in here today and we wish you good fortune all the rest of your lives.”
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