Vera Jean Taylor

Vera “Jean” Taylor     “beloved wife, mother, and grandmother”

CERES, Pa.---Vera “Jean” Taylor, 88, of Ceres, passed away with her loving husband by her side on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, N.Y., after a short illness,.

Born on July 23, 1930 in Erie, she was the daughter of George W. and Elva Buss Saeger.  On July 12, 1953, in the Ceres United Methodist Church, she married Glenn “Don” Taylor, who survives.

In 1948, Jean graduated from Bolivar Central School and later graduated from Buffalo State College.  For several years, Jean was the Home Economics teacher at Portville Central School.  She left teaching to become the office manager of the family business, Taylor Excavating in Ceres, which later incorporated to become Taylor & Armstrong Contracting in Eldred.  In 1978, Don and Jean left Taylor & Armstrong Contracting to resume their business, Don Taylor Excavating, while still remaining good friends with the Armstrong family.

Jean was a longtime member of the Ceres United Methodist Church where she graciously served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Arts & Crafts teacher, all while serving on various committees.  She also enjoyed playing the piano during Church services on Sundays.  Jean was also an active member of the Ceres Community Center, where she put in countless hours organizing and working the annual Ham & Leek and Harvest dinners. She was also an active member of the Oswayo Valley Historical Society in Shinglehouse, having served as curator for many years.  Jean was also the chairperson of the Shinglehouse Food Cupboard, putting in selfless hours to ensure the community was served well.  She was also an active member of the Bolivar 4 C’s Senior Center in Bolivar for several years.  Jean was an honored 50 year member of the Tyler Mizpah Chapter 97 Order of the Eastern Star in Portville.

Jean was a truly caring person, always thinking of others first.  She loved the outdoors.  You could find her tooling around in her golf cart tending to her flowers and garden.  She truly loved bird watching, she was always looking up species in her book.  She hung hummingbird feeders around her porch where she would sit for hours watching them come and go.  Jean was an avid reader, always carrying a book with her.  Jean was also very fond of animals, especially her dog, Felix.

Surviving besides her husband of 65 years are two sons, Gregory “Greg” (Lynne) Taylor of York and Christopher “Chris” Taylor of Richmond, Va.; a daughter, Denee (Timothy) Graham of Waldorf, MD; eight grandchildren, Brian (Cerese) Holes, Richard “Ritchie” Holes, Grant Taylor, Alyson (Justin) Doty, Derek (Dana) Taylor, Danielle Taylor, Natasha (Jason Carr) Taylor, and Kegan (Mike Gustin) Wilson; twelve great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Jean was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Laurie Taylor.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm on Sunday at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse and from 10 to 11 am on Monday, October 29, 2018, at the Ceres United Methodist Church, where funeral services will follow with the Rev. Preston L. Hutchins, Jr., pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Ceres.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jean’s name to the Ceres United Methodist Church, c/o 2905 Kings Run Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Jean’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, share a fond memory or view a video tribute, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com