Marshall and Ellen Taylor, longtime Claremont residents, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They met on a blind date at Harvard University and were married shortly after college graduation.

The Taylors have lived many places all over the country but, once they landed in Claremont in 1978, they both felt as if they had arrived “home.”

Ms. Taylor worked as a social worker for many years, but when Mr. Taylor opened his private practice law office in the Village in 1985, she elected to manage the office—and stayed there until her retirement in 2011. Mr. Taylor has reportedly “tried to retire” but still works two days a week.

Their sons and their wives, Matthew and Amy Taylor and Andrew and Sara Taylor, organized a Golden Anniversary party, with many good friends in attendance. Marshall’s best man came to the party from Boston, and Ellen’s maid of honor came from Colorado. The maid of honor had also arranged their blind date in 1963.

Both Marshall and Ellen have been active in local Claremont organizations. Mr. Taylor is currently on the board of directors for Claremont Graduate University and for the Rancho San Antonio Botanic Garden.  In past years, he was president of the board at Mt. San Antonio Gardens.

Ms. Taylor serves as vice president for advocacy for the local League of Women Voters. She also was president of the League for three years, president of the Claremont Chamber of Commerce and vice president of Claremont Heritage and the Friends of the Claremont Library, as well as serving on the boards of Claremont Ed Net and Claremont Coordinating Council. Both Marshall and Ellen served 12 years on city commissions, several of those years as chair. Ms. Taylor also served Claremont as a city council member and mayor.

The Taylors note that their lives are very full now, since they have not only two wonderful sons but also four grandsons. Their future plans are to remain in Claremont and remain active as long as possible.