Mrs. Mary Wilson Taylor

Mary Wilson Taylor led a loving, graceful, and dignified life. She was born in Akron, Ohio on July 10, 1938, and entered her next, everlasting life on July 12, 2026. Most of her childhood was spent living in Birmingham, Michigan with her parents, William Snyder Wilson and Susan Bowman Wilson, and her older sister, Susan Wilson (Smith). On June 18, 1960, Mary married Walter Hamilton Taylor, beginning a story-book marriage and romance that would last for 57 years until Walter’s passing in 2017. She and Walter had two sons, William Wilson Taylor and Peter Hamilton Taylor, and were lovingly devoted parents. Mary was a partner in ministry with Walter, who was an Episcopal priest. This role drew on her natural ability to form meaningful relationships, her inherent curiosity to learn about other people, and deep capacity for compassion and caring. Together, they served parishes in Cincinnati, Ohio; Oxford, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Darien, Connecticut; and Houston, TX. They also partnered in their work for The Episcopal Church Pension Fund, helping to prepare younger clergypersons for retirement. After graduating from Birmingham High School, Mary attended and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University before beginning a long and successful career as an English teacher, serving public school students in Alexandria, Virginia; Gahanna, Ohio; and Darien, Connecticut. She earned her Master’s Degree from Fairfield University at night, balancing work and family to advance in her chosen profession. She was also the Head of the Upper School at the Briarwood School in Houston, Texas. Before and after retirement, Mary cherished time spent in Gambier, Ohio; Lenox, Massachusetts; and Key West, Florida. She was an active member of every community in which she lived, and relished being in the company of friends–over lunches, across the bridge table, or in the book group she established with Walter that has endured for over 25 years. She was also an avid swimmer, an activity that brought her great pleasure and satisfaction throughout her life. Her life’s greatest meaning was found in the presence of her loving family, especially during holidays and summer vacations. Festive meals with family and friends were a hallmark of her life, with every family gathering taking on special meaning and lasting memories. For the past seven years, Mary spent time with her loving partner, Albert “Allan” Anderson, and treasured their times together in Lenox and Key West. Allan was particularly caring to her during her illness over the past 18 months. In addition to Allan, Mary is survived by her sister, Susan Wilson Smith; her sons, Bill and Peter; her daughters-in-law, Jennifer Luce Taylor and Stephanie Hertig Taylor; her grandchildren, Wilson Luce Taylor, Allyson Taylor Matthews, Paige Hertig Taylor, and Jane Schroeder Taylor; her great grandchildren, Katherine Taylor, Charlotte Matthews, Soren Matthews, and Walter Taylor; her cousin, Ann Schauweker; her 11 nieces and nephews; and the many friends who also brought love and support to her life. Her family wish to extend their gratitude to The Reverend Samuel Vaughn (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Stockbridge, MA), her physicians, the staff at Kimball Farms, Sunset Nursing Care Center, and HospiceCare in the Berkshires for their care and devotion to Mary over the past several months. A memorial service and celebration of Mary’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Stockbridge, MA) on Saturday, August 29th at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Lenox Club (Lenox, MA) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mrs. Mary Wilson Taylor

July 10, 1938 - July 12, 2026