Marriage For The Elder Set

“We ran away without our parents’ consent,” joked Orin Hood of Malden when asked about his March wedding to Florence Doone. Mr. Hood is 95 and his wife is 85, but age didn’t stop their wish to marry and celebrate their feelings for one another.

Newlyweds Mr. Orin Hood and Mrs. Florence Hood.

The two were engaged for a year and a half before they married. They originally met at the Malden Guild of Artists about 12 years ago. Mr. Hood says he especially “enjoys painting sand dunes” in oils and Mrs. Hood is an accomplished artist and photographer who focuses on “whatever is different.” But, it wasn’t until two years ago, when they both served as board members for the Guild, that they became friends.

The Hood’s first “date” wasn’t your typical dinner and a movie. It was a very hot summer day and Mr. Hood, while talking to Ms. Doone on the telephone, realized his friend didn’t have air conditioning like he had. Despite initial protests, Mr. Hood arranged for Ms. Doone to be brought to his home where the two could talk in the comfort of a cool living room. “She’s a rugged little son of a gun,” smiled Mr. Hood. “But she came over to get out of the heat.” This visit was the first of many outings the two shared. They learned of their similar interests and came to appreciate the depth of their feelings.

On March 27, before children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, the two were married. When asked how their life is different now, Mrs. Hood said, “We look ahead to togetherness. Things aren’t as tense. We share love and respect…it’s very satisfying.” Smiling at his wife, Mr. Hood said, “I don’t dare disagree with you.”

The newlyweds plan to travel to Canada later in the spring or summer for a honeymoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Hood attribute their generally good health to not smoking or drinking alcohol, eating fish frequently, drinking milk, and exercising. They also believe that maintaining a happy outlook is good for an individual’s health.

The Hoods, happily married, continue to paint and photograph—the common interest that brought them together.