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Longtime couples honored for devotion to others
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Harold and Margaret Pitts, married for 44 years, are shown in their Girard home.
YOUNGSTOWN
Margaret Pitts of Girard uses two words to explain the secret to her 44-year marriage to her husband, Harold.
“Mutual need.”
“I think we each give what the other needs,” she said of her husband, better known as Dick.
“We support each other’s independence — that’s what Bill would say,” said Elizabeth Muir of Johnston Township of her husband of 43 years. They were married July 1, 1967.
The Trumbull County residents were among 22 Ohio couples recognized for their dedication to marriage and volunteering at the 12th annual Joined Hearts in Giving celebration.
Ohio first lady Karen Waldbillig Kasich and the Ohio Department of Aging honored the couples during an event at the governor’s residence in Columbus.
In conjunction with Valentine’s Day, Joined Hearts in Giving honors Ohioans at least 60 years old who have been married 40 years or longer and who share a commitment to volunteering.
“Volunteering makes you feel good, and every place where I’ve volunteered could use more help. Whatever your interest, there’s a place to volunteer,” said Margaret, a 1957 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and the licensed-practical-nurse program at Choffin Career and Technical Center, Youngstown.
She worked most of her career for Dr. Servillano Yamat Yumang in Howland, retiring in 2007.
Among her volunteer activities are at the Veterans Affairs Youngstown Outpatient Clinic; Kids Club, an after-school program at First Baptist Church of Girard; and the Trumbull County Office of Elderly Affairs nutrition program.
“I just wish all wish people could come to the VA and see the people who fought for their country. Lots of them are in bad, bad shape money-wise and health-wise,” said Dick, who worked as an electrician 40 years at RMI in Weathersfield Township.
An Army veteran of the Korean War who is being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at the VA clinic, Dick says he feels more secure when he is with other veterans. He is a member of the Korean War Veterans Chapter 137, Trumbull County Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 11 and the Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard, which helps with hundreds of military funerals a year.
Between them, the Pittses have seven children, one of whom is deceased, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The Muirs also have a passion for volunteering.
Elizabeth was instrumental in starting the Johnston Township Senior Center. She wrote the start-up grant and subsequent grants to keep the center operating. Both Muirs serve on the board, of which she is president.
Other volunteer activities are with Friends of the Cortland Library and one day a week at the Mahoning County Habitat for Humanity Restore in Struthers. She is a member of the Stan Hywet Needlework Guild, a support group of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, which raises money for textile restoration.
Elizabeth, whose maiden name was James, graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1962 and from Youngstown State University in 1966 with a degree in math and physics. She was a computer-systems designer and project manager for several companies, including Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. and the Cleveland Clinic, retiring in 2001 from Medical Mutual of Ohio in 2001.
William graduated in 1963 from Jackson-Milton High School and received a bachelor’s degree in art education from YSU in 1969. He taught at Brookfield schools for several years, but eventually changed professions and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. He worked as a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals in Cleveland, retiring in 2000.
“There are so many ways in which to give your time, it is amazing. Whatever your passion is, you can find a place to volunteer,” Elizabeth said.
“There is always room for more talent. Sometimes people don’t believe they have special gifts, but everyone has something to share,” she said.
The Muirs, married July 1, 1967, attribute the longevity of their marriage to having common interests and the same basic set of values.
For instance, because they often worked different shifts, there are no specific roles for household chores. Each does whatever it takes to make the house run, whether it be laundry, lawn work or food preparation.
Family members and many good long-term friends, most of whom are long-term married people, compose a network of like-minded people, she said.
They approach solutions to problems in different ways, but even that is not a problem.
“It allows us to explore multiple solutions to problems. The answer is sometimes mine, sometimes his, and sometimes a blend,” Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth said she enjoyed the Joined Hearts in Giving ceremony.
“We had refreshments and a few minutes to chat with Mrs. Kasich. It was a pleasant surprise. It was very nice to be recognized,” she said.
It was an honor to be chosen for recognition from among the many great couples who were nominated, said Margaret.
“Sometimes I wish there were two of me to do the things I want to do,” she said.