Valley couples married for over 50 years renew vows

STOCKTON -- Scores of husbands and wives from Catholic parishes throughout the Northern San Joaquin Valley and foothills renewed their vows Sunday afternoon during a wedding anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

The 142 couples who took part have been married for at least 50 years. The ceremony is part of a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Stockton, which has 32 parishes in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties as well as four foothills counties.

About 20 couples came from Stanislaus County, including Salida residents Steve and Virginia Nelson, who were wed the longest. The Nelsons were married in 1941.

They were joined in renewing their vows by Virginia's sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Lloyd Brouillard of Modesto, who have been married for 67 years.