Port Norris Legends

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R. Shirley Taylor
September 6, 1935 - September 16, 2017
Recognized as a Legend of Port Norris on April 22, 2023

Also see Donald "Duck" Taylor

 

First, I would like to thank the legend's committee for nominating my mother, Shirley Taylor, for this distinguished honor. My name is Eileen Sheppard. I am Shirley's oldest daughter. I would like to share with you a little about my mother and what made her so special in our eyes. My mother was born in 1935, and lived in Bridgeton for most of her childhood. Her parents were divorced, and my mother lived with her mother. At age 16, my mother experienced a devastating tragedy when her mother was killed in a car accident. Left to care for her baby sister, Barbara Jean, she left school in order to find work as a waitress. With the strain of working and trying to maintain a household on her own, my mother faced the disheartening decision of giving up her baby sister for adoption. Fortunately, Barbara was adopted by a loving family who so happened to live in Cumberland County, and my mother was able to keep in contact with her. My mother worked as a waitress throughout her teenage years. One evening, while attending a dance, she caught the attention of a young gentleman named Donald Taylor, my father. He was so mesmerized by her beauty and personality; he asked her out. She declined his request that evening, but that did not stop him, and his persistence paid off. My mother accompanied him on their first date together, and at the end of the evening, my father just had one question for her ... " What are you doing next Friday, Saturday and Sunday." From then on, my father would faithfully show up every evening at dinnertime at my great-grandmother's house, where my mother was living at the time. His visits became so routine that my great-grandmother would automatically set a dinner plate for him. My mother told this story to us many times, and we would always chuckle when she ended the story by saying, "I had to marry him to get rid of him." Needless­to-say, their love continued to blossom, and they were married on August 23, 1958.

Hello, my name is Donna. I am Shirley's 2nd daughter. After my parents married, my mother and father built their forever home on North Avenue, across from the home where my father was born and raised, and where I still live to this day. Although my mother raised 4 children, her kindness and longing to help others led her through many life experiences. My mother learned of a neighbor whose child had severe neurological impairments. She would visit the home daily and assist the distraught mother with her child's patterning therapy. My mother also volunteered as a member of the Salvation Army, where she would assist families in signing up for programs to help pay their utilities, obtain food and provide holiday meals. My mother loved living in Port Norris. She was a member of Port Norris Methodist church, where she assisted with many church functions and sent her children to Sunday School every week. She wanted her children to be raised with good, small-town Christian values. We children would always say that Mom had a direct line to God. She would always pray for others and most of those prayers always seemed to be answered. One time, my sister, Lisa lost her cat, Koko. The cat had gotten out through a breach in the fence at her home in Millville, and had been missing for over 24 hours. My sister searched the busy streets of Millville for several hours. Exhausted and defeated after hours of searching, Lisa called Mom to inform her that Koko was missing. My mother's only words to her were, "I'm praying." My sister knew right then and there that Koko would be found, and within less than an hour, she found Koko in the back yard of a vacant home right across the street where she had already searched. It was truly a miracle.

Hello, my name is Mathias, Shirley's only son. I would like to tell you about my Mother's many accomplishments. Although my mother had to leave school at the age of 16, she did obtain her GED. She wanted to set an example for her children by letting them know the importance of a good education. As my parents settled in to their home in Port Norris, they became more involved in the community. My father was hired as the Township Tax Collector, and wanting to help her husband succeed and also wanting the good residents of Commercial Township to be able to pay their taxes even while my father was working his full-time job as a truck driver, my mother became a certified tax collector. She helped my father enclose the front foyer of their home and turn it Into a dedicated tax office. My mother's caring nature led her to return to school later in life to become a nurse. She graduated from nursing school at the top of her class. Nursing was Mom's passion, and she was the best. She worked at Bridgeton Hospital on the medical surgical floor from 3pm to 11pm. Her patients adored her because my mother went out of her way to make sure they were as comfortable as possible, even if it was something as simple as rubbing lotion on their back or just sitting and listening. You will never find a nurse like my mother. She was one of a kind. Anyone who knew my mother knew she was outspoken. On one occasion, a timid Filipino nurse was put in charge of her floor. This poor nurse would hide in the bathroom, crying every time a doctor would yell at her. My mother went in that bathroom and gave her these words of wisdom ... "If you have to be angry, everyone else might as well be angry too." From then on, that nurse would stand up to all of the doctors. She would tell people, "Mama Shirley told me to speak my mind ... " AND SHE DID! My mother was always ready to tight for what she believed in. She was active in township government, and would work tirelessly to support any person, regardless of political party, to achieve a position that would better our little community. She worked diligently to assure approval was obtained to construct the new, modern-day Post Office in downtown Port Norris. Although my Mother retired from nursing in 1998, she continued to offer her expert care, support and prayers to those around her until her passing in 2017. My mother was a selfless, caring and compassionate person who is missed dearly by many, many people.

 

Obituary for Rebecca Shirley Taylor
September 6, 1935 - September 16, 2017

REBECCA “SHIRLEY” TAYLOR 82, of Port Norris died Saturday afternoon at home under Hospice care. Born in Vineland, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Tomlin Butler and the wife of Donald Taylor. Shirley grew up in Pittsgrove and was formerly of Bridgeton and resided in Port Norris the past 57 years. She was a retired Nurse at Bridgeton Hospital. Shirley loved to crochet, needle point and cross stitch, she also enjoyed collecting antiques and going shopping. She was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Port Norris and was a former volunteer for the Salvation Army.
  
Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Donald Taylor, children, Eileen Sheppard (Tom), Donna Franceschini (Ray), Lisa Vandenbossche (Jeff Cleveland) and Mathias Taylor, brother, Thomas Jennings, sister, Barbara Jean Scaruzzi, grandchildren, Thomas and Richard Sheppard, Shirley Sarog, Debra McCarthy, and Donald Humphrey, great grandchildren, Skylar, Emmy Rose, Michaela, Jacob, Noel, Donald, Jr., Brenna and Aubrey. She was predeceased by her sisters, Gladys Costa and Ann Russo. 

Funeral services will be held at the Hoffman Funeral Homes 2507 High Street Port Norris on Thursday September 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Haleyville Cemetery. A viewing will be held Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. 
 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cumberland County SPCA 1244 N. Delsea Drive Vineland, NJ 08360 or Cumberland County Salvation Army 733 E. Chestnut Ave. Vineland, NJ 08360 

In Tribute

Our deepest sympathy to Duck and the entire Taylor family in the loss of Shirley.
God bless and comfort you all.
Sincerely Port Norris friends, Carole (Cobb) and Jim Robbins September 22, 2017 at 09:36 PM

I love you mom-mom, you will be deeply missed, love Debi, Lee, and Aubrey
Debi - September 21, 2017 at 08:41 PM

Mom you were the best mother in law anyone could ever ask for i will miss you mom. I look forward to seeing you again in heaven....love you
Tom - September 18, 2017 at 09:20 AM

Mom i will miss you forever. I am waiting for the time when i come to heaven and we can hold hands and walk together on the streets of gold. I will love you forever....Eileen sheppard - September 18, 2017 at 09:14 AM

Sorry for your loss. Aunt Shirley was a sweet lady. Now she is in heaven with my mom mom, Ann Russo and my mom, Sue Russo. She will be missed dearly. magen lazarcheck - September 18, 2017 at 07:23 AM

Mom Mom... thank you for welcoming me and loving me like I was flesh and blood. I love you! Enjoy heaven with my Mom Mom! See you soon, but not soon enough.  Your Schwan Man Wil Sarog - September 17, 2017 at 09:49 PM

I'll miss you forever, until I see you in heaven. You were the best Mom Mom ever.  Sissy Shirley Sarog - September 17, 2017 at 09:30 PM