LONGEVITY MARRIED 60 YEARS: PEARL AND THOMAS WATSON.

Byline: Nicole Sunkes

Pearl and Thomas Watson of Newbury Park celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family at a dinner on June 9.

They met on a blind date while Tom was in the Canadian navy on New Year's Eve 1943. They were married on June 9, 1945, in Montreal, Quebec. They moved to California in 1951.

Pearl was born in Lancashire, England, and moved to Montreal in 1938. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked for Venice High School from 1956 to 1976. She is a member of the Daughters of the British Empire and enjoys gardening.

Thomas was born in Provost, Alberta, and served in the Canadian navy as a signal man. He worked at G&H Technology in Santa Monica from 1951 to 1973.

They enjoy fishing and traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada.

They have two children: Keith of West Hills and Brian of Valencia. They also have three grandchildren.

MARRIED 55 YEARS: JOAN AND LEE HAMPTON

Joan and Lee Hampton of Northridge celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with a trip to Norway.

They were married June 25, 1950, in Beverly Hills.

Joan graduated from Fairfax High School and worked as a homemaker. She is a member of the P.E.O., a women's group.

Lee graduated from Fairfax High in 1947 and attended the University of California at Santa Barbara. He taught industrial arts at Van Nuys High School from 1952 to 1957, and then at Monroe High from 1958 to 1992, where he was the last member of the original faculty to retire.

They enjoy camping, bridge and traveling.

They have three children: Charles of Granada Hills, Johnathan of Lancaster and Bradley of Valencia. They also have four grandchildren.

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(1 -- 2) no caption (Pearl and Thomas Watson)

(3) no caption (Joan and lee Hampton)