copyright the Chronicle August 19, 2015
by Elizabeth Trail
ORLEANS — The young couple stood in front of the camera on their wedding day. She was very young, dressed like a schoolgirl except for a sequined flapper-style cap and a lace collar livening up the neck of her dress. Her smile was shy but radiant. He was a little older, handsome in his best suit. It was August 20, 1940.
Seventy-five years later, Shirley and Fern “Jim” Hemenway of Orleans looked back at their long life together, which began the day that photo was taken.
They’re about to celebrate an anniversary that few couples see. He is 96, she is 92. He’s hard of hearing now, and has lost much of his vision, but he still has a dry wit. Her feet have lost their lightness and her smile its girlish shyness, but it’s still the biggest thing about her.
Over the years, the couple has raised six children — three biological children, and…To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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