John and Rosemary Brown of Valencia will celebrate 50 years of marriage with a family picnic on Saturday and a celebratory Mass on Sunday at St. Catherine of Sweden Roman Catholic Church in Gibsonia.

The former Rosemary Ohnemus married Brown on Sept. 3, 1955.

They have eight children, Julie Cerra of Wheeling, W.Va.; Kathy Brown of Wexford; John Brown and Bridget Lane, both of Valencia; Peg Hudac and Maureen Razum, both of Gibsonia; Tim Brown of Charleston, W.Va.; and Sheila Thomas of New Brighton.

They also have 17 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Brown is retired from Robroy Industries in Verona, where he worked as vice president of production. He is an avid fan of the University of Notre Dame.

Mrs. Brown is a retired nurse. She enjoys gardening.

The couple belongs to St. Catherine of Sweden Roman Catholic Church. They are active community and church volunteers.