4 minute read
A Firm Foundation
Residents Emory and Kathaleen Billingsley were just 14 years old when they began exchanging 3-cent love letters back and forth after meeting at a summer camp. Ever since, they’ve been inseparable.
On Sept. 15, they celebrated a unique and lucky milestone: their 70th wedding anniversary. Better yet, they celebrated by going on a trip with their daughter, Bonnie Motsay, who lives just a few streets over at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.
Emory and Kathaleen had talked about how it would be special to visit Atlantic City again for their 70th anniversary because it’s where they spent their honeymoon. One evening after dinner, Kathaleen mentioned this to Bonnie, and Bonnie began searching for places to stay to make their wish come true.
She started planning the September trip last February and surprised her parents with the news shortly after. Emory and Kathaleen both agreed they were “very excited” when Bonnie told them about the plan.
“The first time we went there, for our honeymoon, we were there for a day and a half. We didn’t have much time or money since Emory was serving in the Army and was ordered to go to Germany, so we rented a car and drove to Atlantic City,” Kathaleen said. “We also went there for our 60th anniversary. It’s very special.”
Bonnie’s companion, Nelson; her brother, Duane; and her sister-in-law, Sharon, attended the trip as well.
“Atlantic City is definitely sentimental, and the trip was so special,” Bonnie said.
“We stayed in Sea Isle City, and we drove down to Atlantic City on their anniversary in the afternoon to walk on the boardwalk just like they did 70 years ago!”
Following the trip, they continued the anniversary celebration by attending church at Sell Chapel and enjoying a luncheon at Masonic Village with three generations of their family.
“This is all happening because two people fell in love 70 years ago,” Bonnie's daughter, Amber, said at the reunion.
In addition to Bonnie and Duane, the Billingsleys had a son, Ron, who is deceased. They also have four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Emory and Kathaleen hold many places, aside from Atlantic City, near and dear to their hearts. They’ve traveled all over the world, including to Egypt, Switzerland, Holland and The Holy Lands. They even lived in Israel for two months as hosts in hotels and were tour hosts in Europe.
“Emory and I do everything together. We are very seldom separated,” Kathaleen said.
Bonnie said that “closeness” is why her parents have had such a loving and fulfilling marriage the past 70 years. Additionally, faith has played a key role in their relationship, as both Emory and Kathaleen have been heavily involved in church.
Emory was a United Methodist pastor for 43 years and was a visitation pastor at Masonic Village and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Kathaleen’s role in the church has been “everything,” from organizing activities to singing in the choir.
“It’s meant a lot that Kathaleen has always been helpful in my ministry to people,” Emory said. “We are deeply centered around faith, and it has deeply helped our relationship.”
Communication has been another pillar of their relationship, Bonnie said, and of their entire family.
Emory said their family talks about “everything and anything,” and it’s important Kathaleen and he always talk through issues “even if it makes for a long night” because they “never go to bed angry.”
Family Reunion
Now that Bonnie lives at Masonic Village, she can talk to her parents whenever she wants. Because of this, Bonnie said “there isn’t a day that goes by” that she doesn’t feel “truly blessed.”
“It’s so wonderful to live near my parents again. The Bowman’s There’s not too many people here who have their Wedding Photo parents here, so I’m very fortunate,” Bonnie said. From 1949 Bonnie described living with her parents here as coming full circle, and it reminds her of happy childhood memories and of their constant support. She described her father as her “rock” and her mother as her “soft landing spot.” “In high school, mom would wave to me at the front door every day when I was leaving for school. Now, mom stands at the front door here and waves to me every night when I’m leaving,” Bonnie said. “She doesn’t understand how meaningful that is to me and how much I think about that.” Bonnie, Emory and Kathaleen have dinner together every night and “reminisce” on all the good times they’ve shared. Emory and Kathaleen joked that it’s an adjustment living by their daughter again, but they are thankful to be so close.
Bonnie is still full of excitement from the Atlantic City trip and looks forward to continuing to enjoy time with her parents.
“They’ve really helped me, and I’ve helped them. I’m always here for them,” Bonnie said. “You never know what tomorrow holds, so love every minute you’re here.”
Wisdom & Wonder
Science, the study of the natural systems and behaviors that make up our bodies and our world, takes us places we never thought possible. From inside the human body to edges of the solar system, those who’ve dedicated their lives to healing, building and improving our lives and the environment around us, have a special set of skills, knowledge and dedication. Our residents and staff have used their curiosity and sense of wonder to make a mark on our world for the greater good.
