Thursday, July 8, 2021 is cause for celebration as my parents, the doctors Van Horn, Helen Margaret Ross and Paul Emerson, have achieved an incredible milestone! Sixty years of marriage!

Not an easy task, as their wedded bliss was delayed with their pursuits in their respective medical fields in different cities across the country. It wasn’t until they were both in residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, that their paths finally crossed in the fall of 1959. Peggy was not only smart and one of only a few women in medical school at the time, but she was also a personable and beautiful redhead who was quick to smile and laugh. Paul, who was more quiet in nature, yet dashingly handsome and smart, waited patiently for his opportunity to sweep Peggy off her feet and away from her beau.

July of 1961 in Rochester, they exchanged vows and have been honeymooning ever since. Along the way, Paul set up his own orthopedic group/business specializing in knees and hips while also managing Physical Therapy of Princeton which lasted for a span of 35+ years. Peggy had worked one year as a staff psychiatrist at the Rochester State hospital before staying home for 15 years to raise four children before returning to work as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a staff psychiatrist at the Mental Health Center in New Brunswick for 15+ years.

Together they nurtured four children: twins Barb Van Horn Yocum (Snowmass Village, CO) and Val Van Horn Pate (Richmond, VA), Alison Van Horn (Washington, DC) and Paul Van Horn III (Brooklyn, NY). Upon retirement, they chose to travel extensively to Peru, India, Italy, Europe, Brazil, Alaska, Hawaii, British Virgin Islands, and more.

Peggy and Paul have also enjoyed nine grandchildren (Elliott, Kyle, and Kakie Pate; Ty and Katie Yocum; Sarah and Luke Van Horn; Javier and Margaret Benson), as well as the friendship of many loyal and faithful friends over the years.

Peggy and Paul have enjoyed 60 years of life together. They are role models to family and friends, an inspiration to all who know them with a unique bond of loyalty and love of which many only experiences in fairy tales.

May they continue to share many more special moments together, especially when hearing their wedding song of “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin played for the 60^th year. Congratulations to the happy couple, Paul and Peggy Van Horn!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Much love to you,
Val and family