Paul and Marion began their love story in 1954 as dates to a school dance and have been in sync throughout their 65-plus years of marriage. The Thoms’ home is filled with welcoming tones, original Marion Thoms paintings, bookcases filled with decades of memories, and inviting seating where anyone could get lost in conversation.
They have called Berkeley Square home for more than a decade and enjoy being very active within the community, along with the City of Hamilton. Marion has taken her exquisite talent for creating art to the residents of Berkeley by teaching painting classes, and Paul has been involved with the Fitton Center for Creative Arts.
Making Space for the Arts
A home office that houses Paul’s keyboard offers visitors a glimpse into how their family has grown over the decades, with three large family portraits beginning with 13 people in the first and ending with over 40 in the most recent photo taken at Berkeley Square.
The arts, whether it’s visual, musical or performing, have played the leading role in the Thoms’ life together and are one of the secrets to their marriage. From shows at the Ensemble Theatre in downtown Cincinnati to Paul directing Fairfield High School’s choir to Marion creating in her home art studio, this couple enjoys life to the fullest.
Actively Continuing Traditions
“I don’t want to be a person who does nothing,” Marion shares when referring to her hesitation when they began looking into a retirement community. Once the perfect home on Patriot Crescent was available, with its large sunroom, three bedrooms, and finally: a two-car garage (they lived without one for over forty years), Marion and Paul were ready to begin their next act at Berkeley Square.
They both agree, “We enjoy the happy hours, buffets and the trips.” With the arts being one huge part of their lives, the Thoms also love sharing stories about their family and how traditions their family of four started years ago continue to live on with their great-grandchildren.
“We have 26 great-grandchildren,” Paul beams. With such a huge family, there is never a shortage of fun at holiday gatherings. Being the pillars of their entire family, the Thoms enjoy seeing how their marriage continues to reach each generation through continued traditions.
Falling in Love All Over Again
Paul and Marion have been the stars of their own romance story since the fifties. Their secret? “Consideration of the other person and shared interests,” Without hesitation Marion expresses her favorite things about Paul are “his smile, sense of humor and his love for me.”
Paul adds how Marion is “always supportive of me and she is always in style, in terms of how she lives her life.” The Thoms are easy to admire for their dedication to the arts, their community, and most of all, their family. When they fell in love with Berkeley Square, it was easy to fall in love with them right back.
Pursuing Your Own Next Chapter
Considering a transition to Independent Living? Learn why now might be the exact right time to make the move.
Our knowledgeable senior-living team also is here to offer their expertise and invite you to contact us for more information, schedule a visit, or attend an upcoming Explore & Tour Event at our Berkeley Square and Westover communities.
