Lynn and Keith Schallmo met by chance working at a hospital, but it's taken love, commitment and resilience to hit 50 years.
HOMEWOOD, IL — A little more than 50 years ago, two St. James Hospital employees might not have realized it, but fate was circling.
Heck, it was about to knock them upside the head as if to say, "I'm right here."
Lynn D'Orazio worked in X-ray.
Keith Schallmo was an operating room technician, otherwise known as a scrub tech.
The two played on their departments' respective bowling teams, where they would first meet. Lynn did what many other women weren't bold enough to—she asked Keith out. It was the start of a love story that has now spanned half a century—to the exact date of November 8, 1975—and grown to include four children and eight grandchildren.
A life brimming with love rooted first in Homewood, and then in Flossmoor.
"Definitely an accomplishment in this day and age," said daughter Elizabeth Lynch, of her parents marking 50 years married.
'Wonderful examples of love'
Lynch tells their story as one of serendipity, passion—and profoundly deep love. It might have started in a whirlwind—they had been dating just six weeks when Keith proposed—but has the staying power many modern day loves seem to lack.
She told Patch about their start, back at St. James. How many women on the staff found Keith—described as a "big German guy"—attractive, but it was "tiny little Italian lady" Lynn who mustered up the courage to ask him out.
They married young, when Lynn was 21 and Keith was 22. Both raised in the south suburbs—Keith in Burbank and Lynn in Chicago Heights—they built their family there, first living in Homewood before then moving to Flossmoor.
Keith went on to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, and owned an electrical company, as well as serving as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic with the Flossmoor Fire Department. He is currently a project manager for a construction company, and nearing retirement.
Lynn was a stay-at-home mother, and later became a real estate broker.
Lynch remembers a childhood of "wonderful examples of love, and fun memories.
"It was always loud," she joked, "but we were always provided for."
Their children are Stephanie, who married Ryan; Nick, who married Sara; Elizabeth, who married Chris; and Michael, who married Amy. Stephanie and Ryan have three children and live in Frankfort. Nick and Sara have three kids and live in Michigan. Elizabeth and Chris have two kids and live in Mokena. Michael and Amy live on the east coast.
All were touched by the example set by their parents.
"Love, sacrifice, selflessness. Sharing. Family," Lynch reflected. "We just had a great time growing up."
"Hundreds of stories. It was just a loving home."
Now 71 and 72 respectively, Lynn and Keith have shared a lifetime and built a past, present, and future.
They're so loved, and also very humble, Lynch said—but deserve to be recognized for their devotion to each other, and their marriage's resilience throughout life's twists and turns.
"Wonderful example to us of love, strength, sacrifice, life lessons, hard work, support, family traditions, encouragement, laughter and perseverance," Lynch said. "We love them so much and so happy they’ve hit such a milestone, so proud of their accomplishments."