Obituary of Doris Mary Taylor

DORIS MARY TAYLOR ~ It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doris Taylor, aged 80 years. Doris died peacefully at her home in Port Perry in the early hours of Thursday, December 23, 2010, following a brave and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. She was born Doris Mary O’Grady in North Bay, Ontario on August 23, 1930, the first born of Willa and Henry O’Grady. Her family moved frequently around Ontario, but the one constant in her life was the O’Grady cottage at Twin Lakes. Doris graduated from the Toronto Western School of Nursing in 1953, and attended her 57th Class reunion in the fall of this year. It was in Toronto where she met Leo Taylor, the love of her life. She and Leo married in 1955, and lived in Toronto, where their sons, James and Sean were born. Leo and Doris soon tired of city life however, and moved first to Prince Albert and then to Port Perry, where their daughters, Anne Marie and Kathleen were born. After raising her children, she worked as a Registered Nurse at Durham College and the Port Perry Nursing Home. The family spent many good years with friends and extended family at their cottage at Lake Minnicock in Haliburton. Doris loved to travel, and truly was a world globetrotter. Her journeys took her far and wide throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Each trip was complete with new adventures, friends and many stories to share. Doris was truly a special person, who profoundly touched the lives of all who knew her. She was a "mom" and "grandma" to many, and a good friend to all. Her door was always open for visitors whether it was an afternoon of conversation and laughter over a cup of hot tea and freshly baked lemon bread or to house weary travelers from all over the globe. She dispensed wisdom and advice without judgment to many who loved her as a second mom and friend. She was a very talented and artistic rug hooker, and was one of the founding members of the Port Perry Hooking Club. Doris was also a proud card carrying member of the Red Hat Society. She is perhaps best known for her volunteer work with the Canadian Cancer Society, where in 2002, she was honoured with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her years of volunteer service. Doris will be remembered for her wit, wisdom, generosity and strength of character. She will be greatly missed by her son Sean Taylor (Cindy) and grandchildren Marissa (Jeff), James (Kira), and Meghan of Saskatoon; daughter Anne Marie Taillon (Guy) and grandchildren Leo (Caitlin), Rory (Julie), Shanna, and Paul of Port Perry; and daughter Kathleen Taylor (Peter), and grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, and Nicholas of Komoka. Also mourning her death are her brother Kevin O’Grady (Sandra) of North Bay, and her sister Katherine Whitely (David) of Carleton Place, in addition to many nieces and nephews, countless "adopted children," and their families. She was predeceased by her beloved son James in 1981 and husband Leo in 1983. She was also predeceased by her parents Henry and Willa O’Grady, and her sister Helen Sullivan. The family of Doris Taylor will receive friends at the WAGG FUNERAL HOME, "McDermott-Panabaker Chapel" 216 Queen Street in Port Perry (905-985-2171) on Tuesday, December 28th from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1710 Scugog Street (Hwy 7A) in Port Perry on Wednesday, December 29th at 11 a.m. with Father Peter Lackmanec officiating. Her interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Prince Albert. If desired, memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waggfuneralhome.com.