A VALENTINE’S DAY LOVE STORY ALMOST 70 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Summerside couple keeps the spark alive nearly 70 years after getting married
SUMMERSIDE — After tying the knot almost seven decades ago at St. Paul’s Catholic Parish Church in Summerside, Austin and Ethel Pendergast are proof that love can stand the test of time, distance and even tragedy.
“We met at a party in Indian River. I was 24 and Austin, 22,” said Ethel (nee Deighan), now aged 94. “They had a lot of house parties in those days because there was no television, so people played music, danced and sang in winter. Austin asked me to dance at the party, and after we ended up dating.”
Austin knew there was something special about their relationship after just a handful of dates, but it was about to be put to the test when he was assigned a job in Churchill, Man.
“We had three or four dates before I left, but we stayed in touch and wrote letters,” said Austin. “I came back after the first year in Churchill for two weeks and that’s when I asked Ethel to marry me.”
“It took me by surprise, the engagement party,” said Ethel. “I just never even thought of getting married at that time, but it happened. Austin went back and stayed another year in Churchill for work, and then when he came home in October we got married the following month in the year 1950.”
The couple had eight children of their own. They also raised two orphans.
“We never had much in terms of money, but we always provided and put the children first. We then made time for ourselves to go out dancing on a Saturday evening,” she said, noting their marriage was built on a strong foundation – one of love, communication and respect.
The couple recalls one event, however, that was ready to rattle their strong foundation. The family was coming from a Labour Day weekend in Souris when they stopped to visit a relative.
“We were waiting in the car and our oldest son, Allan, aged 10, ran into their barn to play,” said Ethel. Allan, along with his two brothers, Pat and Kevin, climbed up into the dark hayloft.
“Allan was in front and all of a sudden he disappeared. He fell through a hole where they lifted the barrels of hay, and he hit the cement floor (a drop of 28.5 feet). Both of his knees went through his stomach, so they took him to the hospital in Souris, but it was too severe, so he had to be taken to Charlottetown.”
Ethel was seven months’ pregnant when she was informed by the doctor that her son was in critical condition and would likely die.
“We came home, prayed and had a mass for Allan. We dedicated him back to God because everything stopped. Nothing was moving – the urine, blood pressure, he was in a coma.”
After a few days and more surgeries, a miracle happened.
“He opened his eyes and said, ‘hi Dad.’ Austin was overwhelmed and called me right away,” said Ethel. “Allan completely healed and has never been sick a day. He recently retired from a successful 36-teaching career.”
The couple maintains the secret to such a long-lasting relationship is that they just needed each other and their family.