Broomall couple Anna and Albert Squilla say they live ordinary lives, yet they are testimony to a long life and a marriage of 81 years, writes Peg DeGrassa for the Daily Times.

Anna and Albert Squilla are both 100 years old and happily married.

“She has been a wonderful wife,” Albert said. 

“He was always kind and a good worker,” Anna adds in.

They were 16 when they went on their first date, a walk down Broad Street in South Philadelphia.

“My parents didn’t approve of us dating or getting married because we were so young,” Anna said.

They married Nov. 7, 1942 at Annunciation BVM Church in South Philadelphia. She was 18. He had just turned 19.

A year later, Albert was drafted, serving as an Army staff sergeant in the South Pacific, Philippines, and Japan before returning home with malaria.

Anna had a second shift job at Crown Can while Albert was away, working on plane elevators. 

Albert found work as a tile setter and owned a tile-setting business before his retirement.

The couple had three children and moved to Broomall in 1957, living for time next to Anna’s sister.

Anna returned to work at 54, retiring six years ago at age 94.  

Read more about this ordinary couple’s life in the Daily Times.