MARYSVILLE — John and Angie Crawley, of Merrill Gardens in Marysville, recently celebrated 71 years of marriage, as well as what Merrill Gardens Community Relations Director Barbara Brotherton called “a long life of giving back to the community.”

The Crawleys have lived at Merrill Gardens since 2007, and were married in Seattle in 1938. The couple met while John, a career Naval officer who is now 92, was stationed at the Sandpoint Naval Base.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, John went back to school to compete his studies in sociology and psychology. He went on to work with the Everett Juvenile Court.

Angie’s studies included international affairs and “she even dabbled in politics from time to time,” according to Brotherton. She worked for the Bon Marché as a bridal consultant and fashion coordinator, and in 1936, she wrote the society column for The Marysville Globe, for which she was paid five cents an inch.

Angie has been winning ribbons for her art since the age of six. She studied at the Honolulu Academy of Fine Arts, with Viennese portrait painter Lisel Salzer, and “with other well-known artists throughout the years,” according to Brotherton. Her work has been exhibited internationally, and even now, at the age of 91, she’s still designing, drawing and sharing her own work.

“Together, the Crawleys have traveled the world and studied its cultures, and all the while, Angie was sketching and painting,” Brotherton said. “The Crawleys have been an integral part of community services wherever they’ve lived. They’ve worked with the Marysville schools and library, and they’re lifetime members of the Log Cabin Club and Everett Civic Music.”

According to Brotherton, the Crawleys “share the secret of staying young and happy,” which is “a good marriage, respect and friendship shared by both partners, staying busy, taking time to help others, and being thankful for life. I’ve never met a more enthusiastic and positive couple than Angie and John. Although they’ve had many difficult times in their lives, they always have a smile and an encouraging word for everyone they meet. It’s contagious in a very good way. There just isn’t any energy given to complaining with those two.”

Brotherton deemed the Crawleys “great role models,” while Merrill Gardens General Manager Michelle Malhiot described them as “a vibrant, amazing couple that shares their passion for life and knowledge with everyone here at Merrill Gardens. We are delighted that John and Angie are a part of our family.”