ADA TAYLOR
July 12, 1927 - Widnes, England
April 21, 2015 - Calgary, Alberta
Ada Taylor, much loved Mother and Nana, died April 21 in Calgary.
Ada was born July 12, 1927 in Widnes, Cheshire, England, the second of five children. A product of a convent education during wartime, she grew up fiercely independent with an excellent sense of humour. She began her teaching career in England and with an eye on adventure, emigrated to Canada in 1954. She taught in Saskatchewan that year and after enduring her first prairie winer, headed west with a plan to teach in Vancouver. She never made it. In her effort to experience as much of Canada as possible, she attended a rodeo near Lethbridge and heard of a new school in Masinasin that was looking for teachers. An interview with the handsome young Principal, Elmer Taylor, would change her life. After teaching together for a year, they married in Medicine Hat in 1957. Elmer joined the Royal Canadian Navy that year and they moved to Victoria and started a family. They later moved to Halifax before finally settling in Calgary in 1966.
Ada returned to teaching in 1970 when she started a new kindergarten at Canadian Martyrs church. This was followed by teaching opportunities at St. Alphonsus, St. Luke and St. Margaret schools, where she inspired many young students and forged friendships with colleagues that lasted the rest of her life. During this time, she also returned to university part time, and earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary in 1978.
She retired in 1987 and with Elmer, moved to Qualicum Beach, BC. They enjoyed a very busy retirement in ‘QB’, golfing, curling and socializing with a community of caring friends. Following Elmer’s death in 1993, Ada enjoyed travelling, playing bridge, volunteering with the Church of the Ascension home visitation program, and playing host to her visiting children and grandchildren. In 2014, Ada moved back to Calgary to join a new community, The Manor at Garrison Woods, and enjoy the company of family in Calgary. She was a witty, intelligent and independent spirit who made an impact on everyone she met. She leaves behind a loving family and a legacy of memories and stories to treasure.
Ada is survived by her two daughters, Annemarie (Tom Wahl), Vancouver and Val (Tim Loblaw), Calgary, and three sons, Neil (Cheryl), Calgary, Peter, Toronto and Bruce (Brenda), Calgary. She was a very proud Nana to eight grandchildren, Ryan (Ashlee), Sarah (Mike), Stephen, Matthew, Jocelyn, Christina, Chloe and Isabel; and three great-grandchildren, Lydia, Norah and Elliot. She is also survived by her sisters Marj Arnold and Joan Parsons, and brother Bill Murphy, all of the UK; and many friends and extended family in Qualicum Beach, Calgary and England. Ada was pre-deceased by her husband Elmer and sister Eileen Costello.
A Memorial Mass and reception will take place in
Parksville on Saturday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the
Church of the Ascension, 877 Wembley Road.
Flowers gratefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society or Doctors Without Borders.