|
a.
|
Note: Biographical information compiled by Linda Taylor about Alice Taylor included the following information: Alice was the 6th of 9 children, having 5 sisters and 3 brothers. She was raised on a flower and truck garden farm. She helped work on the farm, worked in the family market, and hired out for housework. Some of her earnings went for a guitar and lessons. Alice met her future husband while on a working vacation in Los Angeles in 1942. She moved to Topeka, Kansas after marrying Charles M. Taylor on December 1, 1945 in Finleyville, Pa. She and Charles built a modest home and moved to Tecumseh in June of 1946. Alice loved flower gardening and music. She enjoyed playing bingo, crocheting, embroidery, latch hook, and painting. Alice was a real Atlanta Braves fan and watched all of their baseball games. She went to many dances over the years and even danced carrying her oxygen tank. Alice was a caring mother and called "Mom" by many local children and teenagers. She was devoted to her son, Chuckie, who had cerebral palsy. Her daughters' cooking skills, love of reading, and practicality were learned from her. She was owner-operator of a neighborhood grocery store from 1963-1975. Alice was a good friend. She enjoyed helping neighbors. Alice's faith and devotion were strengthened by her participation in area churches. She was in the "Read the Bible in a Year" program several times, taught Sunday school and helped with scheduling for the nursery at a special fellowship called Christ's Church at Tecumseh. She attended Sunday school, was a greeter for worship, and belonged to the Golden Agers group at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church. Alice belonged to the LULAC Senior Center for over 12 years. She was an eager participant while there, working in the greenhouse, playing cards and bingo, doing crafts, and assisting with meal service. Alice also appeared on local television and was quoted in local newspaper articles concerning senior issues. Alice was a very strong woman. She was widowed at the age of 44 and left with the care and raising of 3 children, one of whom suffered from cerebral palsy. Alice also endured much physical pain in her later years.
Alice Marie Engel Taylor's obituary published 2/6/01 in the Topeka Capital-Journal read as follows:
Alice Marie Taylor, 80, Tecumseh, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2001, at a Topeka hospital where she was admitted Jan. 15. She was born Feb. 20, 1920, in Finleyville, Washington Co., Pa., to Henry L. and Edna Eva Friday Engel, and she lived in Tecumse for 54 years. She operated Taylor's Grocery Store in Tecumseh for 12 years. She was a member of the former Christ's Church in Tecumseh and attended the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh. She was a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens Senior Center in Topeka and a former member of Oldtime Fiddlers, Pickers and Singer and the Kansas Prairie Pickers. She married Charles M. Taylor on Dec. 1, 1945, in Finleyville, Pa. He died Jan. 9, 1965. A son, Charles Water "Chuckie" Taylor, died Nov. 24, 1996. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Taylor, Tecumseh, and Karen A. Scott, Neosho, Mo.; a brother, George Engel, Pittsburgh; two sisters, Edna Engel, Pittsburgh, and Mildred Klebanski, Finleyville, Pa.; three granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; and a stepgreat-granddaughter. Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Parker-Price Mortuary in Topeka. Burial will be in Bethel Cememtery south of Tecumseh. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, 334 Tecumseh Road, P.O. Box 5, Tecumseh, 66542; or the senior Center of the League of United Latin American Citizens, 1502 Seward, 66616.
Note that, in the above obituary, one of the great-grandchildren mentioned is the child in utero of Kayleen Cook Ybarra, who was 7 months pregnant at the time of Alice's death.
|
