Rockland County’s Oldest Married Couple Lived Through 8 Decades of Devotion and Love

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A marriage is built upon a solid foundation. Through the many experiences that life brings to a couple, endurance is a requisite. Let’s take a look at this beautiful, long-lasting marriage—likely Rockland County’s oldest married couple.

One of the longest marriages ever recorded in Rockland County, New York, is between the late Duranord Veillard, 111, and the late Jeanne Veillard, 108.

Duranord, believed to be Rockland County’s oldest resident, passed away on June 1, 2018, at the age of 111. Jeanne died six months later at the age of 108 on Nov. 12, 2018.

The couple is survived by four children, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, Lohud reported.

Duranord and Jeanne tied the knot in November 1934, according to their obituaries—that is, eight decades ago! That’s incredible! Their lengthy anniversary is symbolized by diamonds, pearls, and sapphires.

Born to a fisherman on Feb. 28, 1907, in St. Louis du Sud, Haiti, Duranord moved to the United States in 1968 after he lost his job as a judge. He settled in Spring Valley, New York, working as a lab technician at the Good Samaritan Hospitals.

His wife, Jeanne, and family members subsequently joined him one by one in Spring Valley.

During Duranord’s 108th birthday celebration back in 2015, he revealed to The Journal News on his secret to living a long and healthy life. “That’s God,” he said.

When Duranord was still alive, he valued his health, waking up at 5 a.m. every morning. Despite being nearly blind and hard of hearing due to his old age, he still did five-to-seven push ups. As for his diet, he drank a cup of tea and ate oatmeal and fresh fruit for breakfast. At lunch and dinner, he had fish and fresh vegetables.

The centenarians retired early at night and woke up early. They only went out on special occasions, while supporting each other unconditionally.

“He remembers everything,” Duranord’s son, Vely Veillard, 62, said of his father during his 108th birthday, USA Today reported. “Look at him! He doesn’t want to use a cane. He’s a superstar.”

Alluding to her grandfather, Duranord’s oldest granddaughter, Lise Calypso, said, as per Lohud: “He taught us that no matter what, family came first.” She added: “The prayers, stories and wisdom he gave to us will never be forgotten.”

When the reporter asked Jeanne how she met her husband, she joked in French Creole: “I found him in the street.”

Jeanne was described by her friend Amalie Thomas as someone who had a kind and warm spirit. Thomas shared to Lohud: “She’d say that God is the main reason for blessing her with a long fruitful life and marriage.”

With an incredible 83 years of marriage, Duranord and Veillard were an example of people who have honored each other through the years, enjoying and cherishing one another.

“It’s very motivational to be around them. When I’m down I look to them to rise up they’re an inspiration, they are they keep us running and we keep them running too,” the couple’s grandson Eric Alexis told CBS New York.

There’s no big secret to their marriage—just God, honor, and respect, as they say in the classics.

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