Finding soulmate was worth the wait

Rick Pansie, 71, felt sure that love had passed him by. MJ Tamplin, 70, had decided that happily ever after wasn’t in her cards.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Jan. 8, 2020

M.J. and Rick Pansie are shown at their wedding reception in December of 2018. They met a couple of years ago when M.J. began caring for Rick’s elderly mother. They married in December of 2018 and recently celebrated one year of marriage. Rick was a lifelong bachelor and M.J. was divorced and single for many years and neither thought they could find love after retirement.

Photo Courtesy Of Rick And Mj Pansie Sr
Rick an M.J. Pansie proudly show off their photo taken on the rollercoaster Tremors at Silverwood Theme Park in June of 2019 at their Spokane home. The two met a couple years ago and are just now celebrating their first anniversary at age 70.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Rick and M.J. Pansie treasure this snapshot of them showing their wedding rings to Margaret Pansie, Rick’s elderly mother who suffered from dementia at the end of her life, and how Margaret wrapped her own hands around theirs. M.J. cared for Mrs. Pansie in the last year of her life and met Rick while at Margaret’s home. The two married as Margaret’s dementia advanced to the point that they wondered if she knew what was happening and this photo reminds them of her awareness even as her comprehension dimmed.

Photo Courtesy Of Rick And Mj Pansie Sr
Rick and M.J. Pansie stand among Rick’s collection of signs, memorabilia and coin-operated novelties at their home in northeast Spokane, shown Thursday, Jan. 2, 2019. They met a couple of years ago when M.J. began caring for Rick’s elderly mother. They married in December of 2018 and recently celebrated one year of marriage. Rick was a lifelong bachelor and M.J. was divorced and single for many years and neither thought they could find love after retirement.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review