--- title: "A platinum union: Orchard Valley residents Gordon and Doreen Ellinson celebrate their 70th wedding" description: "A platinum union: Orchard Valley residents Gordon and Doreen Ellinson celebrate their 70th wedding" image: https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hubfs/Ellinsons%20Wedding.jpg --- CONTACT US **0800 920 2222** Search Sienna [CONTACT US](https://www.aspiralife.ca/contact-us/)     **[1-866-959-4848](tel:+18669594848)** [![Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Aspira%20Logos/Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png?width=3368&height=1403&name=Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png "Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB")](https://www.aspiralife.ca/) - [Our Locations](https://www.aspiralife.ca/our-locations) - [Find your Local Community](https://www.aspiralife.ca/our-locations) - [Living Options](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options) - [Seniors Apartments](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/seniors-apartments/) - [Independent Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/independent-living/) - [Assisted Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/assisted-living/) - [Respite Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/respite-care/) - [Memory Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/memory-care/) - [Plan Your Move](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move) - [How to Get Started](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/how-to-get-started/) - [Feature Webinars](https://www.aspiralife.ca/Plan-Your-Move/Feature-Webinars) - [Affordable Options](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/affordable-options/) - [FAQs](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/faqs/) - [About Us](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us) - [Essence of Aspira](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/essence-of-aspira) - [Our Blogs](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/our-blogs/) - [Leadership Team](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Leadership-Team) - [Quality](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Quality) Search Sienna ![Aspira-Photo-Hand-Painting-04-LR (2)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Aspira-Photo-Hand-Painting-04-LR%20(2).jpg?width=6327&height=4218&name=Aspira-Photo-Hand-Painting-04-LR%20(2).jpg "Aspira-Photo-Hand-Painting-04-LR (2)") More than 70 years ago, after a chance meeting at a dance in New Westminster, Gordon and Doreen hit it off right away. - - - [Milestone Stories](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/milestone-stories), [Retirement](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement), [Retirement Residence](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-residence), [Awards and Milestones](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/awards-and-milestones), [Retirement Living](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-living) ## A platinum union: Orchard Valley residents Gordon and Doreen Ellinson celebrate their 70th wedding April 14, 2023 More than 70 years ago, after a chance meeting at a dance in New Westminster, Gordon and Doreen hit it off right away. The future Mr. and Mrs. Eliinson didn’t know it at the time but an unbreakable bond had been formed, one that would last several decades and enter a new millennium. ![Ellinsons Wedding](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Ellinsons%20Wedding.jpg?width=297&height=390&name=Ellinsons%20Wedding.jpg) The happy couple married on March 21, 1953, but - life being as unpredictable as it is - they immediately encountered bumps in the road. The couple’s wedding rings and honeymoon savings were stolen from Gordon’s parents' house the night before the wedding. Determined not to let the theft spoil their big day, the family pulled together and pitched in money to make sure everything still went according to plan. The flowers of choice at the wedding were red roses with white calla lilies, and “Gord” promised he would get Doreen a bouquet of those exact flowers every year on their anniversary. And he has, every year, for 70 years. So what is the secret to their incredible, enduring romance? In reality, not many couples live long enough to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary so that feat alone is impressive but what made the marriage so strong for seven decades? ![Ellinsons 70th Celebration](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Ellinsons%2070th%20Celebration.jpg?width=468&height=300&name=Ellinsons%2070th%20Celebration.jpg) Doreen says the key to a long and healthy relationship is the ability to talk openly, laugh together, and care for each other no matter what. They always gave each other the freedom to live their lives and be independent while also making sure to put work into their strong and loving relationship. It takes a lot of work and it is evident that Gordon and Doreen continue to put that work in every day. Their unbreakable love is an extraordinary and inspirational tale and Aspira would like to wish Doreen and Gordon a happy 70th wedding anniversary.  [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) ### Subscribe to Emails ### Popular Stories [A life of laughter, independence, and new beginnings: Mary Kleinschmidt’s story](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/a-life-of-laughter-independence-and-new-beginnings-mary-kleinschmidts-story) July 11, 2025 [Rose Dolgy: Still cracking jokes and enjoying life at 106](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/rose-dolgy-still-cracking-jokes-and-enjoying-life-at-106) May 21, 2024 [Love lives here at Aspira](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/love-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living) February 02, 2026 [See how our Sparkle Award winners shine](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/see-how-our-sparkle-award-winners-shine) June 25, 2024 [The secret to 105-year-old Edna's long life is to "work hard and play hard"](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/the-secret-to-105-year-old-ednas-long-life-is-to-work-hard-and-play-hard) August 01, 2023 ### Popular Tags - [Retirement (42)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement) - [Retirement Living (42)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-living) - [Retirement Residence (26)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-residence) - [Inspirational Life (19)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/inspirational-life) - [Senior Living Options (18)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/senior-living-options) - [Independent Living (17)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/independent-living) - [Milestone Stories (12)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/milestone-stories) - [Ontario (11)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/ontario) - [Centenarians (10)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/centenarians) - [Awards & Achievements (7)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/awards-achievements) ### Subscribe to our Blog! ## Related Posts [Inspirational Life](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/inspirational-life) - - - ## [A Mother’s Day Special: Aspira moms through the decades](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/a-mothers-day-special-aspira-moms-through-the-decades) April 14, 2023 [Centenarians](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/centenarians) - - - ## [The Art of Living to 100](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/the-art-of-living-to-100) April 14, 2023 April 10 th is the 100th day of the year, and what better time to celebrate the many centenarians at Aspira who seem to have perfected the art of... [Retirement](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement) - - - ## [Love lives here at Aspira](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/love-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living) April 14, 2023 Love has a way of surprising us — especially later in life. Just when we think certain chapters are closed, new ones quietly begin. In retirement... ### Our Locations - [Find Your Local Community](https://www.aspiralife.ca/our-locations/) ### Our Living Options - [Senior Apartments](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/senior-apartments/) - [Independent Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/independent-living/) - [Assisted Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/assisted-living/) - [Respite Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/respite-care/) - [Memory Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/memory-care/) ### Plan Your Move - [Getting Started](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/how-to-get-started/) - [Affordable Options](https://www.aspiralife.ca/Plan-Your-Move/Feature-Webinars) - [Aspira Resources](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/affordable-options/) - [FAQS](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/faqs/) ### About Us - [Essence of Aspira](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Essence-of-Aspira) - [Our Blogs](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/our-blogs/) - [Our Affiliations](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Our-Affiliations) - [Leadership Team](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Leadership-Team) - [Quality](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Quality) - [For Investors](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Sienna-Senior-Living) - [Join Our Team](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Sienna-Senior-Living) [![Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Aspira%20Logos/Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png?width=145&height=60&name=Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png "Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB")](https://www.aspiralife.ca) - [Privacy Policy](https://aspiralife.ca/legals/privacy-notice/) - [Sienna Senior Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/sienna-senior-living/) - © 2022 - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.aspiralife.ca/legals/terms-conditions/) - [Accessibility](https://www.aspiralife.ca/legals/accessibility/) - [Sitemap](https://www.aspiralife.ca/sitemap/) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Fa-platinum-union-orchard-valley-residents-gordon-and-doreen-ellinson-celebrate-their-70th-wedding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)