she'd received a master's degree in engineering from duke and had even appeared on the cover of a university magazine. >> she was a smart, smart woman. but most of all, she was funny and sexual but had this marvelous sense of life and vitality just -- >> reporter: and you were in the swirl of the local society. right? >> yeah. >> reporter: charity balls and parties and nice dinners. >> yeah. and she did all of this. she -- >> reporter: good, smart friends at your table? >> absolutely. she would invite people over. she cooked meals. and she'd do the desserts. she did it all. >> reporter: so michael was all too happy to say yes when after years of living together, kathleen suggested the couple make it official. >> so we got married. and it was a gigantic wedding. it was in the house. and there must have been 150 people there. and it was just wonderful. >> i always thought, you know, "this is what i'll register as the happiest day of my life." >> reporter: kathleen's younger sister, candace, says kathleen was over the moon, as well. >> she was thrilled to be marrying michael. all three girls were bridesmaids in her wedding.