I loved to listen to her talk. Though soft-spoken, Betty Schott, 98, had a sharp mind and an even sharper sense of humor. She smiled easily, laughed often, and called me “honey.” But when her husband of 76 years died in May 2014, her smile faded and the quips didn’t come as quickly. Adjusting to life without her beloved wearied her. On Sunday, Betty died, 80 years and one day from the anniversary of her first date with Warren Schott. I met the Schotts in 2007 when I interviewed them for my Love Story series. It was the start of a friendship that spanned eight years and immeasurably enriched my life/Cindy Hval, Love Stories, SR. More here. (SR photo: Betty Schott wears a lei at a ceremony in 2014 to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor)

Question: How many years long is/was the longest marriage in your immediate family?