Jean (Soucy) and Leon Masse of Salem, will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Their children include a son, Dick Masse of Florida and a daughter, Adrienne LeBrun of North Andover. They have six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Jean and Leon are natives of Salem. Leon is respected in the community of Salem in which he and Jean have lived for 75 years as a married couple. Leon is a retired cabinet maker and has built many wooden models of historical buildings and lighthouses. These models have all been donated to various organizations and people (including doctors, priests, family and friends in the community). A few of his models, The Salem Armory, is on display at the Visitor's Center in Salem and the Custom House model is located at the Custom House.
In 1931, Jean and Leon met coming out of mass at St. Alphonses church in Beverly. From that moment on it was a start to a very special relationship that still exists today. On June 29, 2010 they will be married 75 years.
A typical date during their three-and-a-half years of courtship was a long walk that always ended on the porch of Jean's house with her father. After gaining approval from Jean's parents and 21 brothers and sisters, Leon and Jean married in 1935 at St. Alphonses church during the deep depression. During this time Leon was still supporting his mother. The reception was at Jean's home with about 50 people. Jean's father was very sick at the time so her youngest brother, Napolean Soucy, stood up for her. Jean's mom prepared a light lunch for all the guests and they honeymooned in Boston for the weekend.
Their secret to a happy marriage is that they never argue or fight or go to bed angry with each other. If they have any differences, they work them out before going to bed. Their best advice to married couples is to respect each other's feelings even when you totally disagree with the other.
Leon at age 97 and Jean at 98 are still the same people they were 75 years ago. They work as a team as they fight old age together. It is truly a blessing to see them together. They are still very much in love, are positive, full of life and cherish their family. Their family wishes them a very happy 75th Anniversary!
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