Lucia (Catanzarite) Johnson, 91, and Mona (Quenelle) Bertrand, 92, enjoyed a visit recently in Massena. Photo by Charlene Dumas.

MASSENA – Longtime friends Lucia (Catanzarite) Johnson, 91, Canton (formerly of Massena) and Mona (Quenelle) Bertrand, 92, East Syracuse, recently enjoyed a visit at the home of Lucia’s daughter Marilyn Gollinger, Massena.

The two met in high school when Mona was 16 and Lucia was 15. Over the course of their 76-year and mostly long-distance friendship, they often visited each other’s homes and more recently have been keeping in touch with a weekly phone call following their favorite Saturday night television show Lawrence Welk.

The two were happy to have the opportunity to visit in person after a hiatus of several years.