Colonial Courtyard at Bedford couple has shared nearly 60 years together

BEDFORD, Pa. - Feb. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- Mary Jane and John Whitesell have spent six decades of Valentine’s Day holidays together. This year the holiday will be special despite the challenges the couple faces.

     Mary Jane and John reside at Colonial Courtyard at Bedford, a senior living community at 220 Donahue Manor Road. The couple has been married nearly 58 years.

     “They met while attending Penn State University in 1952 and the rest of the story could be something based on the move, ‘The Notebook,’” said Nanette Bankes, activities coordinator, Colonial Courtyard at Bedford. “She faces the challenges typically associated with dementia but is a very gentle soul. John is a thriving 82-year-old who is part of the Colonial Courtyard at Bedford community in support of his wife.”

     John Whitesell is a retired United Airlines pilot who attends a local gym several times a week and even helps plan men’s activities at Colonial Courtyard at Bedford.

     “He’s always thinking outside the box,” Bankes said.

     Most important, John is there to support Mary Jane. “He is very attentive to her care and needs,” Bankes said “You truly see the love in his eyes for her.”

     The Whitesell’s story fits nicely into a Valentine’s Day script.

     As John recalled, “A friend asked if I would like a date with his girlfriend’s roommate. I said ‘Sure,’ and the four of us attended  a dance. We had a good time. Mary Jane and I started to date off and on the rest of that year, and we found we were more than just good friends when we were in the ‘Little International.’ Mary Jane fitted and showed a lamb, and I had a steer.  That’s when we got to know and like each other.”

     John gave Mary Jane his fraternity pin in 1954. A year later, both graduated from Penn State and became engaged.

     Mary Jane was a home extension agent in Blair and Cambria counties.  John taught Vocational Agriculture in Warfordsburg until the U.S. Air Force summoned him to flight school.

     “That began a new lifestyle for the two of us,” John said. “We were married in June 1956 and were off for Air Force flight training in Texas, then Florida, Oklahoma, and Colorado. After all that training we were assigned to a base in Germany for three years.

     “Our oldest daughter (Pat) was born while we were in Oklahoma, and Ed was born in Germany,” he continued. “We were able to visit many parts of Europe, and had lots of memorable experiences. We came back to the States in 1960 and lived in Utah. When the Cuban Missle Crisis began, we were in Kansas, assigned to an air refueling unit flying KC-97s.”

     With the world on the verge of nuclear war, tensions mounted.

     “Overnight, all planes were deployed for war-time duty,” John said. “Our unit went to Newfoundland.  That was the first of many deployments, and the first time Mary Jane and I were apart for more than a few days at a time since we were married.”

     John’s military career took the family to California and New Mexico. For a while, the family resided in a camper trailer. John fondly recalled, “That was over Christmas and the only space we had for a tree was to hang it on the wall.”

       Once his military training was complete, John was transferred to Wichita Falls, Texas, daughter Kathy was born.

     A move to New Hampshire followed, and the family eventually transitioned into civilian life, with John landing a job with United Airlines. After a stay in Connecticut, John, Mary Jane and the children moved to Bedford in 1969 to be near Mary Jane’s family.

     “Working for the airline opened up a new life for us,” John said. “We were able to fly space-available to any destination served by United. We took up skiing, and spent some memorable times in Colorado, Utah, California, and of course Blue Knob. Over the years, we traveled pretty much from China to Austrailia to Europe and spots in between.

     “Raising our family in Bedford has been a great experience. The kids loved going to Grampa’s farm. They had animals in the Bedford Fair, fished, swam in the farm pond and boated on Lake Raystown.”

     As the children grew up and moved on, John and Mary Jane continued to enjoy life in Bedford while also traveling throughout the country and the world.

      After retirement, the couple faced challenges often encountered by seniors. They sought to reside in a senior living community, but didn’t want to leave Bedford, their hometown.

     “As we aged, retired, and became seniors, we began to feel the need for more help,” John said. “That was when we decided on Assisted Living.  It has been a good choice for us. We have started a new life and are enjoying our stay a Colonial Courtyard.  Not the end, but the beginning.”