Anne C. Taylor passed away Friday afternoon, comfortably, in the presence of some of her best friends, at Hardee Manor.
Anne was born in New York City to two transplanted Mississippians. The family took many summer trips back to the South and fondness for the region rubbed off enough on Anne, so that when she went to college she chose Hinds Community College not far from her Dad's kinfolk near Morton, MS. She completed college at Delta State College near her Mom's relatives. During the summers she worked at Estes Park in Colorado, enjoying the outdoors--very different from her city upbringing. After graduation she adopted the South, beginning her teaching career in Biloxi where she met an airman, David Mayo, from Texas.
They married and went to Germany, winding up in San Angelo, TX where Anne continued teaching. Eventually, she and David parted ways amicably and she moved to Florida.
Anne taught at various schools, spending 20 years in Wauchula. She taught first grade, then kindergarten and finally Pre-K; as she got older the kids got younger. But she did well enough that she won a "Teacher of the County" award--a tribute to her desire and inner strength.
Eventually the pain from an earlier fall got to be too severe, limiting her mobility, and Anne spent the last 6 years at Hardee Manor. Her long term reflexologist-massage therapist, Rob Castner, came down several times a week to provide comfort and relief. He even convinced Anne to let him clean her house--those of you who know Anne will understand what an achievement that was. They were a source of strength and inspiration to each other.
Much of the essence of Anne's soul can be found in the song, "3 Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_I-sTv6NV0 . From 1:23-1:31 it describes Anne as a teacher: "An' that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of children, did her best to give 'em all a better start." The chorus at 1:50-2:10 describes her legacy: "I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go." It's worth a listen.
Anne is survived by her brother, Richard Taylor and wife Alix in Mass. and niece, Laura Taylor at Notre Dame.
A Memorial Service is planned at Robarts Garden Chapel on Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 4:00 p.m. If you have a class picture from Hardee Schools, please bring it to share at the service.
Anne took in many stray cats and rescued dogs during her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society, 7321 Haywood Taylor Blvd., Sebring, FL 33876 in Anne's memory.