SENIORS FIND LOVE WHILE ON THE MEND.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

On the fateful day when 77-year-old Matilda Price broke her hip, she never imagined it would lead her to love in a North Hollywood nursing home.

Almost six months ago, the Studio City resident entered the Laurelwood Health Center, a skilled nursing and rehab center, to begin treatment for her injury. Reclusive since her first husband's death 17 years ago, Price immediately retired to her room in solitude.

But a few days after arriving, she encountered 78-year-old Sol Bisk in the center's lobby, and true to his name, which means sun in Spanish, Bisk brought sunshine to his newfound friend's life. The two became engaged shortly thereafter.

``He's precious,'' sighed Price, just hours before her wedding to Bisk on Saturday afternoon at the nursing home. ``He's kind of shy and so am I, but I'm so tickled today. I have so many flowers here - all kinds, tulips and daisies.''

This will be the first marriage for Bisk, a Chicago native, who said he knew within a week that he would ask Matilda to be his wife.

``She was not the ordinary girl. She struck me as being sincere and nice,'' said Bisk, who was also admitted into the Laurelwood Health Care Center for a broken hip a year ago.

The couple became inseparable, sharing their interests in gardening, politics and Italy, which is Price's native country and the country where Bisk was stationed as an Air Force pilot during World War II.

``We met, and we've always liked each other,'' Price said. ``We don't have secrets or anything. He likes plants and flowers, so we have that in common. My family is in Italy, and his family is from Europe so we also share that in common.''

The courtship, which has lasted five months, brought a new meaning to Price's life, said Lori Lackey, social services director for the center.

``When she came here and met Sol, everything opened up for her. She's not withdrawn anymore; she just has a purpose to live,'' Lackey said. ``They're like teen-agers when they're together - very affectionate with each other. It brought out something in them that is incredible.''

The springtime romance has also revitalized the patients in the Laurelwood Health Care Center, said Lackey, who said the couple's wedding is the first of its kind for the facility.

``Nursing facilities have a reputation as being the last place where patients are dropped off, but they're not that way. They are geared toward getting independence and rehabilitation for the patients. For the other alert residents, this wedding kind of gives them hope,'' she said.

The couple will continue to make their home at the center after a brief honeymoon at a family member's residence.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) Matilda Price, 77, receives the rings from grandson Paton during her nursing-home marriage Saturday to 78-year-old Sol Bisk, left.

(2) Golden-years romantics Sol Bisk and Matilda Price kiss to seal their marriage Saturday at a nursing home in North Hollywood.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News