Obituary of Nancy Caroline Taylor

Nancy Caroline Taylor

August 17, 1941 – June 14, 2023

It is with great sorrow that we share the sudden passing of our mother, Nancy Caroline Taylor on June 14, 2023 at the age of 81.

Nancy grew up in Tilbury, Ontario where she met and married her high school sweetheart George Simpson Taylor. Together they raised four children spending time in Chatham, Ontario, New Westminster, British Columbia, London, Ontario, San Francisco, California, and Markham, Ontario before settling in St. Marys Ontario in 1982. Nancy was first and foremost a mom to her children. She was that neighbourhood mom who was always home and had extra cookies to share with the neighbourhood children. She returned to school when her children were grown and became an Early Childhood Educator, nurturing many little ones during the time she devoted to working in childcare. But farming was her and George’s passion and in the early eighties Nancy and George made the decision to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and purchased a century farm in St. Marys Ontario.  Nancy would spend many nights feeding baby sheep and goats until they were strong enough to make it on their own, she was determined to make sure each one made it through one more night.

Nancy and George travelled the world together, always sharing these trips with their children and grandchildren. They were typical Ontario snowbirds spending many winters at their home in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Nancy was also a diehard Toronto Blue Jays fan, and particularly enjoyed their World Series Championships in 1992 and 1993.  During the last few years, Nancy became an avid bird watcher, and she would spend hours watching and identifying birds in her gardens, always sharing when the Orioles and Hummingbirds arrived back in St. Marys. And while watching the birds, she spent hours knitting preemie hats and booties, donating them to local hospitals.

Nancy was passionate about the theatre. Over the years, the Stratford Festival became one of her favourite places; Nancy was instrumental in supporting the Stratford Shakespeare Summer School, ensuring youth would have access to learning the beauty of acting, the intricacies of production, and the inclusive culture of the theatre.  Nancy and George were Legacy Level donors to Stratford, and recently, Nancy established the Nancy and George Taylor Theatre Arts Camps Financial Assistance Program to support future generations of actors.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Laura Tremblay, her husband, George Simpson Taylor, and her son, George William Taylor.

Nancy is survived by her brother Benny Tremblay, her children April (Paul) Rietdyk of Grand Bend, Ontario, Barbara (Mike) Reid of Avon, Ontario, and Cindy (Scott) McLauchlan of St. Marys Ontario. Nancy is also survived by her grandchildren Kaitlyn (Jason) McMannis, Jared (Amanda) Rietdyk, Evan (Emma) Rietdyk, Laura (Tony Prillo) McLauchlan, Breanna (Scott Wright) Reid, Ryan McLauchlan, Nicole Reid, and Aidan Reid. As well as her great grandchildren, Eleanor Rietdyk, Maxon Rietdyk, and Charlotte Rietdyk.

Visitation will be held on Saturday June 17, 2023 from 7:00-9:00 pm at Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home. Following Nancy’s wishes, cremation and a private family internment will take place.

Memorial donations may be made to:

The George and Nancy Taylor Fund
(Cheques made payable to Stratford Festival,
on the memo line write: The George and Nancy Taylor Fund)

PO Box 520
Stratford, ON N5A 6V2 

Sleeping Children Around the World
28 Pinehurst Crescent, Etobicoke, ON M9A 3A5

or a charity of your choice.

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