100-year-old couple married 71 years

MADISON, N.J., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A New Jersey couple who are both 100 years old said their love has survived nearly 71 years of marriage.

Grayce and Clarence Dwyer, who still live in their own home in Madison with the help of an aide, said their similar backgrounds, coming from Irish immigrant families and losing their fathers to the 1917 flu epidemic, helped them connect, ABC News reported Tuesday.

"We just always got along -- we came from similar lives," Grayce said. "We were raised by mothers who taught us what was important to have a valuable life, simply put -- take care of each other and your family. Life was not meant to be easy, so you surround yourself with good people and always have a strong faith that will help you through the hard times."

The couple have four children, 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Grayce Dwyer said she will likely celebrate Valentine's Day by baking a cake to share with her husband.