Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Marge and Bob Hall have been married for more than 80 years. The Vandalia couple prays every day, especially the Rosary.

VANDALIA — Every morning, 101-year-old Marge Hall in Vandalia gets out her rosary and starts praying. Praying the Rosary is a long-standing tradition for Marge, dating back to her childhood when her family would pray it before any car trip. Now, she prays four Rosaries a day and also prays the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

“I love praying the Rosary as it is invoking our Mother Mary’s intercession,” Marge Hall said. “It is just automatic to pray the Rosary.”

When not praying, she watches EWTN to learn more about Catholic faith and Mass on TV. She spends most of her time with her husband, Bob, who is 100 years old.

Married on Jan. 28, 1944, in Tampa, Fla., the couple has reached a rare milestone — being married for 80 years. They are known for their strong faith and commitment to each other and their home parish, Mother of Dolors in Vandalia. They have four children (three of whom live in Vandalia), 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

“Marriage is one of the sacraments that God instituted,” Hall said. “Knowing marriage is one of the sacraments strengthened us both over the years in living our Catholic faith. Good and bad times — living this sacrament brought us closer together.”

While Marge remains mentally sharp and uses a walker, Bob's health has declined; he communicates occasionally but mostly stays non-verbal in his chair. They have lived in their home since 1945 with around-the-clock caregivers.

Hall attributes their enduring marriage to keeping "God first in your marriage and life" and being deeply in love with her spouse. “Bob is my everything,” she says.

Though unable to attend Mass due to health reasons, they participate by watching Mass on TV and receiving Communion from parishioners or clergy visiting their home.

“I love everything about my faith,” Hall said. “Being able to receive Jesus in holy Communion is so special.”

“Marge and Bob are a wonderful, faith-filled couple,” Father Seth Brown said. He recalled an incident where Marge insisted on having her purse with prayer cards while hospitalized after a fall.

Parishioner Diane Straub also expressed admiration for the couple's devotion: “We all smile as Marge and Bob just want to be sure they are prepared when it is their time to go to heaven.”

At her age, Marge contemplates heaven daily: “Heaven is waiting for each of us,” she said.