Back to the Utah State Aggies Newsfeed

Judge declares Utah women, together 50 years until one of them died in May, to be legally married

Salt Lake Tribune | August 21, 2018

Related Topics: New York City, Death, Utah, Law, Judge

From the time they met in New York in 1968, until Grossaint’s death in May in Salt Lake City, at the age of 82, “there was never anyone else in my heart,” she said in an interview.

And, as of Tuesday, thanks to Corum’s ruling, Foerster and Grossaint are married in the eyes of the law.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bonnie Foerster, 74, of South Salt Lake finally gets her wish of marrying her common law partner of 50 years, Beverly Grossaint, even though she died on May 27 of this year. Foerster, who is legally blind and a double amputee shed tears of joy on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, exclaiming I can finally start healing, after a judge provided the legal recognition and allowed her to be legally married.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bonnie Foerster, 74, of South Salt Lake finally gets her wish of marrying her common law partner of 50 years, Beverly Grossaint, even though she died on May 27. Foerster, who is legally blind and a double amputee shed tears of joy on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, exclaiming
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bonnie Foerster, 74, of South Salt Lake talks about her 50 years with common law partner, Beverly Grossaint, who passed away after a long illness on May 27 of this year. Foerster was finally provided the legal recognition and allowed to marry Grossaint despite her passing.

“I’m numb from happiness. I’m married,” Foerster said through tears outside Corum’s courtroom after the ruling. “I’m a married woman. I’ve waited 50 years.”

Foerster’s lawyer, Roger Hoole, told Corum that having a marriage made legal after the death of one party, though rare, is not unprecedented.

See full article at Salt Lake Tribune