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YourHub.com \\ The Valley \\ Stories \\ Milestones \\ Anniversaries

Couple celebrates their 60th wedding anniversary

On 1/24/2008

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Contributed by: Judy Sarenana on 1/22/2008

Jess and Gloria Ortega met at a dance in North Hollywood, where Jess first fell in love with Gloria. Several months after dating, Jess went to pick Gloria up for a date, which to her surprise turned out to be a marriage proposal.

He proposed to her that evening, and we are sure he was inspired by Elvis Presley's song to tell her "it is now or never." Since he was of age to get married and she was not in the State of California, Jess had made arrangements with his best friend to drive them to Yuma, Ariz., so they could legally be married the next day on Jan. 24, 1948.

Oh yes, they had a lot of explaining to do when they got back to California.

They have four daughters, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

When they were married 25 years, they renewed their wedding vows and had 25 couples in their wedding anniversary. They also celebrated their 50 years of marriage by renewing their vows, again, and this time with their grandchildren in their wedding anniversary.

Jess worked most of his career at the foundry in Glendale and moved on to becoming an inspector for a company that manufactured aircraft parts in Van Nuys. He received a Gold Star Award for performance.

He then worked as a security guard for NBC Studios in Burbank.

Since his retirement, he enjoys being at home working on small projects around the house where they reside in North Hills.

Gloria was a stay-at-home mom until each of their children started school and then worked part time. When the children were grown, she then worked full time in the aircraft industry, as an electrical bench assembler, and later being promoted to a lead person, where she retired from Lockheed California Company in Burbank after 20 years of service.

She received several awards and recognition for her work performed on the "L-1011 program."

Since her retirement, she has been an active member of the San Fernando Valley Chapter T.O.P.S.

They will be celebrating their 60 years of marriage on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Knollwood Country Club in Granada Hills with 115 relatives and friends after they renew their vows at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church.

When asked about their secret to a long marriage, their response was simple: "Our faith, trust, and love kept us together ."

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Submitted By: Minerva A. Hernandez

posted on 1/23/2008 @ 10:14:28 AM

Rated Story

Besides reading the Scripture there's nothing that I enjoy more reading than about couples like the Ortega's. May they enjoy many more years together!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Judy Sarenana

North Hills , CA

Judy Sarenana has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 1/21/2008. Judy Sarenana 's average story rating is 5.

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