Edith Gordon thought she and her husband, Warren were going on a ride on Saturday afternoon.
When they pulled into the Homer Village parking lot she thought they were going to go inside the building and take photos.
Little did she know her family had an even bigger surprise.
Family had traveled from as far away as Tennessee to unveil two benches at Homer’s new playground. The benches have Edith and Warren’s names in their metalwork.
“The village had decided to put in a new playground and they didn’t have enough funding to have seating for parents so I discussed with my aunts, uncles and cousins and thought we could make a donation to honor my grandparents,” said Angela Lawrence, the granddaughter of Warren and Edith.
The family decided to donate two benches and a picnic table.
A plaque that will be placed on the picnic table at the new playground will read “Dedicated to Warren Gordon born September 7th, 1919 and Edith Gordon, born September 14th, 1919. Who married June 30th, 1945. In celebration of their 99th birthday. The oldest couple in Homer. Dedicated September 8th, 2018. With love from their children and grandchildren.”
Lawrence said the whole family gathers multiple times a year to spend time with Warren and Edith.
“It is a blessing,” Lawrence said. “My grandparents raised me and my cousins and I spent every summer with them. Even 10 years ago they were babysitting my daughter at 89 and 90 years old.”
After seeing the benches Edith said she was very happy with the surprise.
Edith said her favorite part about the bench was that her kids grew up in Homer and residents would know that her children and grandchildren had the benches done for her and her husband.
“I think it’s beautiful,” she said. “It was really wonderful.”
Warren was also pleased with the surprise.
“I didn’t have any idea this was being planned,” he said. “It’s great.”
Warren said one of the best parts of the surprise was that residents could enjoy the benches for years to come.
“That’s even greater,” he said.
