Virginia Hailey didn't let a nasty fall out of bed the night before her wedding stop her from going through with things.
Hailey had vowed she would dance at her wedding. The former Quincy resident worked for months in physical therapy to strengthen her legs. On Saturday she kept her promise -- despite some injuries from the fall -- as she and 87-year-old Frank Foskett were married at the Life Care Center of Plymouth.
"We had a beautiful day," she said Sunday, as the couple rested at the nursing home. "I almost cried when she sang 'Ave Maria' and again when I heard what the reverend said." "It was very exciting," said Frank Foskett.
Both said they are relieved to have the formal ceremony over with and looking forward to their life together. "We won't have any more spats now," she said, referring to the pre-wedding jitters and pressures. They will contin ue to live at the nursing home, where both have been residents since 2005. They have been sharing a room there for the past month.
The only change due the mishap was the honeymoon at The Radisson in Plymouth Harbor. It has been post poned for a few weeks while she mends.
About 75 family and friends attend ed the 2 p.m. ceremony in the gazebo on the front lawn, performed by the Rev. Walter Dryercq of Carver, who is the nursing home chaplain.
"Eternal youth is found in holding fast the things that never age," Dryer said during the traditional ceremony. "May they never lose that breathless wonder that exclaims 'Out of all this world, you have chosen me.' "
Later, he said that was his favorite part of the ceremony.
The bride and groom met a year ago at the nursing home in a bingo game. Foskett's wife died several years ago; Hailey also was married before.
Paul Kinnearcq of Hanover and Patri cia Draincq of Plymouth, owners of the Middle Street School of Music in Ply mouth, donated their performances for the ceremony and also for the recep tion, with Chuck Allen on drums and Charles Taramina on bass.
As Hailey was wheeled out to the gazebo by her grandson, Hayden Cifrino, 14, of Plymouth, Drain sang 'Ave Maria' as Hailey had requested. Her grandchildren filled the wedding party: April Cotter, 12, and Jessica Cotter, nine, both of Plymouth, were the bridesmaid and flower girl; Olivia Cifrino, 17, of Plymouth was maid of honor. Rob Cotter, Hailey's son, was best man and Matthew Ryan of Mid dleboro, a night nursing supervisor, al so stood with Foskett.
The ceremony, although traditional, had its light touches. Rev. Dryer gently reminded Foskett that "This is the time for the kiss," when their vows were finished, to the amusement of Hailey and the guests.
Then Rev. Dryer announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, I want to in troduce Frank and Virginia Foskett."
Before the wedding, normal daily routines inside the home mixed with the festive, colorful decorations and preparation. Residents sat in the lobby and the corridors or stood at their doors, watching with amusement and wonder. When Hailey was wheeled down the corridor in her gown, tiara, and pearl earrings, Roberta Preston of Plymouth, a staff nurse, called out, "Here comes the bride!"
Patti Mullaney of Plymouth, the di rector of admissions, was the chief wedding coordinator and buzzed from detail to detail.
Judy MacPherson, owner of Piece of Cake in Plymouth, put fresh daisies and ceramic doves on top of the two- tier wedding cake -- a gold cake with Bavarian creme filling and butter cream frosting.
Eileen Lawton, a professional pho tographer from Plymouth, snapped pictures. Lawton read a story about the wedding last week in The Patriot Ledger and donated her services as wedding photographer.
"I said, 'I need to be a part of this if you'll let me,'" Lawton said.
The nursing home's staff develop ment coordinator, Jennifer Morris of Plymouth, loaned Hailey her wedding dress -- an off-white lace Jessica Mc Clintock gown Morris wore 17 years ago when she was married at age 20. It fit Hailey perfectly.
Before the wedding, Foskett sat in a side room watching TV in his first-ever tuxedo and with a fresh haircut.
Hailey getting into her gown and having her hair style by Lisa Botte, a hairdresser at the facility, in the room they have shared for the past month.
After the wedding, the guests lined up in walkers, canes and wheelchairs to sign the guest book for the reception in the dining room.
"I was tickled pink for her when I heard," said Monica Costello, 84, who came from her home in Plymouth with a cane and a card. Eight months ago, she shared a room with Hailey while having rehab at the facility.
The youngest guest was six-month- old Hayden Foskett of Manomet, the groom's great-grandson. The oldest guest: a chipper centenarian, Henry Viera, who will be 101 in November.
A nurse asked Viera, a retired baker, if he would like to get married next. Viera smiled broadly and said, "No, I'm too old!
"Maybe in the next world."
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