Couple Of 70 Years Named Prom King And Queen At Lake Ridge Retirement Home

LAKE RIDGE, VA — In 1953 and 1954, Donald Gonchar and Susan Adams attended their high school senior proms together. Seventy years later, the couple again got to attend another senior prom, albeit a different event than a high school dance. This time, they had 70 years of marriage under their belts.

Donald and Susan (nee Adams) Gonchar were crowned king and queen of the Senior Prom at Ingleside Westminster at Lake Ridge senior living community Tuesday. Susan Gonchar, 88, is an independent living resident and Donald Gonchar, 89, is a memory support resident at the retirement community. The couple, both graduates of Western High School (now home to Duke Ellington School of the Arts) received a letter of recognition from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in their honor.

The Gonchars have been married since Dec. 4, 1954, when they unexpectedly decided to tie the knot. But the spontaneous decision turned out to be a successful one leading to 70 years of marriage. The couple had two daughters, but their second daughter Nancy, born in 1960, had died. Their first daughter, Laura, was born in 1956, married her husband, Pete, and gave her parents two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Early in their marriage, the couple decided Susan Gonchar should stay home to raise children, which she did until their adolescent years. Susan Gonchar worked as a public affairs officer at the Defense Mapping Agency Combat Center for 20 years, while Donald Gonchar worked for the center's headquarters for 40 years. Donald Gonchar previously attended University of Maryland for seven years, balancing work and supporting his family before graduating with honors. He also attended the Army War College as a graduate in 1986.

According to the retirement home, Susan Gonchar said the couple raised their family with little help and had $97.50 per month rent at their first apartment in D.C. When the rent increased to $102, the Gonchars decided it was too expensive and permanently moved to Virginia.

Today, Donald Gonchar enjoys reading while keeping a collection of books in his library and participates in morning exercises and trivia, according to the retirement home. Susan Gonchar stays active in the retirement community, volunteering for the Encore Store, Library Committee, Hospitality Committee, and the Dining Committee.

Susan Gonchar recalls her mother saying she was too young to get married in 1954 and that it wouldn't last. But after 70 years of marriage, their love was as new and exciting as ever as they got a third chance to attend senior prom.