Nursing home surprises resident as 'Bridge for a Day' 80 years after marriage

She was married without a ceremony in 1946

(GATESVILLE, TX) – A nursing home resident in Texas finally had the opportunity to celebrate her wedding in a traditional way, nearly 80 years after she was married. 

97-year-old Pauline Conner is from England and met her husband during World War II. 

Her husband, Burnard, was sent back to the United States in 1945 and she boarded a ship and traveled from England to Texas to start a new life with him.

The couple was unable to afford a wedding so they found a preacher to marry them privately in 1946. 

Burnard passed away from a heart attack in 1975. 

Pauline now resides at the Hillside Medical Lodge in Gatesville, Texas. 

February is National Wedding Month and the nursing home surprised Pauline as a ‘Bride for a Day.’ 

“She was surprised with a beautiful dress and vail, had her makeup and hair done with a beautiful bouquet, wedding photos, wedding cake, and punch,” the nursing home said.