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Mostly Cloudy An everlasting love
Couple celebrates 70th wedding anniversary
On Tuesday Aug. 11, Ray and Lila Laby celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary by renewing their vows in front of their family and friends at Atria Tanglewood in Lynbrook.
The traditional vow renewal ceremony was officiated by Jill Kaplan, Judaic celebrant. Live music and a champagne toast for all of the Atria residents and the Laby Family followed the ceremony.
The family and friends then moved to the dining room for a wedding-like dinner reception. Freyhammer Florist of Lynbrook generously donated the flowers for the ceremony and dinner reception.
Afterward, a representative from the offices of the Town of Hempstead presented the special couple with a proclamation in honor of this very rare occasion.
Lila Ginsberg first met Ray Laby in the 2nd grade in 1935, at P.S. 174 in Brooklyn. Three years later, Ray’s family moved across the street from Lila’s on Williamsburg Avenue. The two began dating early in high school and were married on August 11, 1945 when Lila was 17 and Ray was 18.
They raised their family in North Woodmere. Ray worked as a manufacturer in the food business, and Lila did volunteer work for children’s causes.
To hear either one of them reflect on their marriage and all their years together is touching, especially when they say the years “just flew by.” Time must fly when you’re having fun, or when you’re in love.
“Neither fun nor love is lost on these two, and you certainly feel it when conversing with them,” said Julie Derkatch, Atria’s Engage Life Director. “It’s comforting to see a couple with such history together that still share smiles and laughs that parallel teenagers in love. There is such an obvious joy, love and deep-seated respect they both have for each other.
Out of this love the couple has grown a large family including three children, two grandsons, and two great grandsons: their daughters Judy, Carolyn and Marion; sons-in-law Philip and Michael; grandchildren Jason, Scott, Jeremy and Chad, their wives Randy, Elyse and Jamie; and great-grandchildren Sam, Aaron , Rory and Noah.
