George and Carol (Hurley) Law just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary! Seventy years. Can you imagine? They marked the occasion on Oct. 24 in Encinitas, surrounded by more than 100 friends and family members.
Another anniversary of note: George and Carol moved to Leucadia in 1960 and have held court in the same home for 66 years.
Before they met, Carol and George both worked in the burgeoning field of atomic energy, back in the early days of uranium processing for nuclear power. In fact, they met for their first date at a water fountain owned by the Atomic Energy Commission. Maybe that’s what made this marriage nuclear-powered!
They married in 1956 in Chillicothe, Ohio, and four years later moved to the beautiful, idyllic community of Leucadia. George took a job at General Atomics in La Jolla, where he worked on the TRIGA research reactor.
Soon, like flowers in a well-tended garden, their children Nancy, Alex, Eric and Mary sprang forth and grew. Those were the first branches of the Law family tree, which now includes eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family has spread across California, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, but they all came together to celebrate.
Their daughter Mary recalled riding horseback across the open hills to Ponto Beach and along the ocean’s edge. There were plenty of swimming and surfing excursions, too. It was a special time to grow up in Leucadia.
In his spare time, George served on the Leucadia Water District board. Carol attended UC San Diego and earned her bachelor’s degree. This energetic couple also volunteered to help create our city of Encinitas, which is now celebrating its own 40th anniversary! They gave their time and energy to build a better community. They nurtured their roots here.
Like a carousel, marriage has its ups and downs. It carries us through the joys, sorrows and frustrations life gives us and, if we’re lucky, there’s a generous sprinkling of love along the way.
Carol and George, 70 years after your wedding, we all celebrate you. You’ve caught the carousel ring, and this one’s gold!
Sheila S. Cameron
Former Encinitas mayor and grateful friend
