Sask. couple shares secret to 65 years of marriage

A Regina couple reflects on their 65 years of marriage and what’s been the key to them staying together for so long. Mick Favel tells us more

A Saskatchewan couple are celebrating 65 years of marriage and are sharing what they have learned about love over the years.

On June 17, 1961, Don and Berva Pearce were married at the Broadway United Church in Regina.

Their life together got off to a quick start, with Don proposing after being together for two months. Berva accepted.

“I just thought, we get along so good and everything. Surely, she will marry me,” Don said.

They would marry two years later, waiting until Berva finished her nursing training at the General Hospital. Don was farming and building the home they would eventually live in for many decades.

When their marriage began, the couple were not thinking far ahead to possibly one day being grandparents or great-grandparents.

“I was hoping for a long marriage, but I never dreamt it would be this long,” Berva said. “When my Mom and Dad celebrated their 25th anniversary, I figured they are completely over the hill.”

The couple agree that sharing the work weight, both around the house and on the farm, was a major factor in marking their marriage work.

“We always respected each other and talked a lot. We did a lot of things together,” Berva said.

For those wondering if marriage is the right choice, one study found Canadian marriages are lasting longer than they did 50 years ago.

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According to a 2024 report by the Vanier Institute of the Family, divorce rates have been dropping in Canada since the early 1990’s.

The report also says couples are marrying later in life, all positives pointing to marriages which possibly could stand the test of time.

In 1991, there were nearly 79,000 divorces granted in Canada, while 2019 saw the lowest divorces granted since 1973, totalling 43,000 divorces.

For those thinking of getting married, Berva said there should be some hope the union will last far into the future.

“They should go into the marriage figuring that it’s going to last. I think so many kind of think, ‘Oh well, if things don’t go my way I’ll exit,’” she said.

After they were married, the Pearce family began to grow. The pair had four children and now have 10 grandchildren. With partners included, there are 25 family members in all. There is a currently a great-grandchild on the way.

Over the years, Don has dealt with several health issues, something the pair have faced together.

Don is now 90 years old and Berva is 85 years old.

“I feel very blessed to still have Don in my life. The things he has gone through, so very blessed. We get along pretty darned good,” Berva said.

Don agreed, saying “I have been truly blessed to have Berva as my wife.”

The couple now live in a retirement home in Regina and are looking to spend Valentine’s Day together with many more to come - proving that their love grows sweeter with time.