Beatitudes Campus celebrated an incredible milestone this year — 60 years of serving older adults with heart, purpose and community. But we’re not the only ones marking a momentous anniversary. Three resident couples — Harold and Joyce Baldwin, Gary and Barbara Tonkin, and Bob and Lynne Orf — celebrate 60 years of marriage this year. Even more special, they’re all neighbors in our Central Park South apartments.

Each couple has a story filled with love, growth and resilience. Their relationships are a testament to the power of partnership and a reflection of what it means to thrive in community. We chatted with them to learn how they met, what kept their marriages strong and why they chose to make Beatitudes Campus their home.

Harold & Joyce Baldwin: A Love That Spans Generations

For Harold and Joyce Baldwin, May 21 is more than just an anniversary. It’s a family tradition.

“My parents were married on May 21, 1925,” Joyce shared. “Then Harold and I married on May 21. And years later, our daughter and her husband chose May 21. We had three generations in a row that were married on the same date.”

Joyce and Harold met as teenagers at Phoenix College — she was 17, he was 19. Just a year later, they were married and beginning a life together. Like any long marriage, it’s had its ups and downs but was always rooted in partnership. “We worked together,” Joyce said. “That’s the key.”

Joyce remembers hearing about Beatitudes Campus back in 1965 when it was new and making headlines. “When it came time for us to find a place, this was the first community we thought of — and we’re so glad we did.”

Gary & Barbara Tonkin: A Bond Built on Friendship and Patience

Gary and Barbara’s story began at a St. Patrick’s Day party in 1962. The event was organized by a group from Gary’s workplace, featuring music, dancing, and — by chance — a group of nursing students, including Barbara. The two clicked immediately, and just a few years later, in 1965, they tied the knot.

Their first decade of marriage was full speed ahead — three children, two degrees for Gary earned through night school, and Barbara building her career as a nurse specializing in allergy and asthma. “It was busy,” Gary said. “And we couldn’t have done it without Barbara’s support — in both my career and our family.”

Married 60 years on April 24, the Tonkins point to patience, kindness and daily expressions of love as the glue that’s held them together. “Say ‘I love you,’ every day,” they advised. “And never go to bed angry.”

The Tonkins moved to Beatitudes Campus nearly two years ago, drawn by its welcoming community, access to all levels of care and robust calendar of activities. “There’s just so much to do, and we’ve made wonderful friends here,” Gary said. “We even had a dinner party with 16 people to celebrate our anniversary. If we hadn’t moved here, we certainly wouldn’t have had that kind of a crowd.”

Barbara enjoys reading, swimming and chair yoga, while Gary loves playing ping pong, attending exercise classes, helping neighbors and being a caregiver for Barb. “It’s a friendly, active place,” they both agreed. “We feel supported, connected and at home.”

Bob & Lynne Orf: A Lifelong Adventure of Love and Laughter

Bob and Lynne met as students at the University of Colorado Boulder. Lynne knew Bob’s sister first — they lived on the same dorm hall and pledged the same sorority. Bob working in the sorority house kitchen (and his guitar playing) first caught Lynne’s attention. “He was cute,” she said. “Blonde hair, blue eyes and charisma.”

Married for 60 years on Jan. 23, the Orfs have built a life full of family, travel and shared joy. Lynne taught kindergarten and first-grade students for 27 years, while Bob enjoyed a successful career in the heating and cooling industry.

With three children, five grandchildren, and a long list of travel adventures under their belts, including trips to Switzerland and the South Pacific, they say their lasting bond comes down to a few simple things: commitment, kindness, humor and communication.

“We’ve always put family first. That’s the most important thing to us. Everything else is secondary,” Lynne said.

When their kids were getting married, the couple offered honest advice: not every year will be easy — some will be tougher than others — but if you stick with it and keep moving forward, it’s worth it. Their secret? A great sense of humor and plenty of laughter.

The Orfs moved to Beatitudes Campus in October 2024, after being familiar with the community for several years through friends and attending lifelong learning classes. “We felt like we belonged here even before we moved in,” Bob said.

They’ve since taken full advantage of the active lifestyle — tending to their gardening, serving on the new resident welcome committee, and enjoying campus events and programs just steps from their apartment.

“What’s wonderful is you can just walk out of your apartment and go see a movie, a performance or a concert, and then walk home,” Bob said. ““You don’t have to buy tickets and fight the traffic downtown.”

As Beatitudes Campus celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Orfs say it feels meaningful to mark the same milestone — they and the community are thriving together.

“It’s fun to think that Beatitudes Campus was starting when Bob and I were getting started in our marriage,” Lynne said. “Who would’ve thought 60 years ago that we’d be here? But here we are and we’re loving it!”

60 Years of Heart, Home and Happily Ever After

As Beatitudes Campus honors its 60th anniversary, we’re proud to share the celebration with Harold and Joyce, Gary and Barbara, and Bob and Lynne. These couples embody the spirit of community and connection that has defined us for six decades. Their marriages are a reminder that lasting love grows even stronger in the right environment — one filled with friendship, purpose and shared celebration.

Discover more inspiring resident stories and learn about the bright and bold retirement lifestyle they enjoy at Beatitudes Campus.

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