Class of 1975 – Vicki Taylor Bertka’s Mother Passed away

Catherine “Kate” TAYLOR

TAYLOR Catherine “Kate” Catherine “Kate” Taylor, 74, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Monday, February 8, 2010, from complications related to a brain AVM. She was born July 30, 1935, to Alphonse and Marie (Bittman) Brandel. A graduate of Notre Dame Academy, she worked for a short time at LOF before marrying Larry Taylor in September 1955. She quit work to raise “the five greatest children in the world”; after the youngest was in school she returned to work for Taylor’s Heatherdowns Electronics for many years. Kate grew up in OLPH parish. She spoke fondly often of the friendships among her elementary school classmates; they were all true friends for life. OLPH was a part of her adult life until a move took the family to St. Patrick of Heatherdowns. After raising her children, she joined the Folk group at St. Pat’s and sang at liturgies with that group for 18 years until 2000. She was one of those “Bunco” moms, playing the game with a tight-knit group of ladies since 1958; it was a source of friendships that lasted way beyond the child-bearing years. Her latest interest that gave her the most giggles and grins in her “older” days was belonging to the Red Hat Society, being a member of the “Crimson Cuties” chapter. She loved dressing in her purple and wearing her red hat to go to events with her chapter; something she missed dearly as the disease process took away her independence. For mom, her faith in God was her foundation. She prayed daily for healing, a healing that was ultimately found in her passing into Eternal Life. She had a special devotion to Mary, a tradition handed down to her from her own mother; with that devotion came a collection of Madonnas hand-picked on trips abroad by her mother which mom proudly displayed wherever she lived. Much of her inspiration came from her mom who was eternally happy “to have shared with so many in Christ’s beliefs and teachings.” She told her children that she “lived a wonderful life having come from a fabulous family,” and prayed that we felt the same. Kate is survived by her children, Dr. Vicki (Dr. Ken) Bertka, Ron (Cindy) Taylor, Bob (Shelly) Taylor, Rick (Cindi) Taylor and Tina (Jerry) Hallgren; by her grandchildren, Brian (fiancee Debora Baliu-Rodriguez) and Kevin Bertka, Dan Taylor, Julie (Mike) McCort, Brad and Scott Taylor, Valerie (Tim) Tuca and Keith Mapes; step grandchildren, Ashleigh and Jeremy Pauken and Jessica Hallgren; great-grand-daughters, Aliyah, Lily and Jayden Taylor. She is also survived by her brothers, Rick, Bill (Alice) and Joe (Pat) Brandel, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry; grandson, Christopher Taylor and sister-in-law, Esther Brandel. Family would like to thank all the people that helped take care of mom during her final months and days, especially Nicole, Rachel, Stephanie, Cindy at Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, including those we can’t remember by name, and to Sue Boyne and Marilyn London that helped to make things happen. Wolf Creek is a wonderful place; you all loved mom very much and it showed, even if she was plain grumpy (who wouldn’t be?). Also many thanks to all the hospice nurses and aides from Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially Jean, Cathy Richards, Marilyn, Linda, Anna, and Jodie; we couldn’t have done it without you. Friends and family may visit Thursday February 11, 2010 from 2-8 p.m. at Coyle Funeral Home on Reynolds Rd. where scripture service will begin at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 12th at 9:30 a.m. with final respects at Coyle Funeral Home preceding the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church with interment at Calvary Cemetery. The family suggests tributes in the form of contributions to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, or to St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church. On-line condolences may be shared at: CoyleFuneralHome.com