Bernice Doris Taylor

She was born in Greensboro, Vermont on September 13, 1941, the daughter of Norbert and Mabel (Richardson) Dufresne. She grew up in Keene and was a 1959 graduate of Keene High School.

A resident of Keene for most of her life, Bernice worked at Sylvania in Hillsboro, NH from 1960 to 1969; American Optical in Brattleboro, VT from 1970-1973; and the National Grange Mutual Insurance Company (NGM) in Keene from 1974 until her retirement in 1996. Bernice continued working part-time with NGM until officially retiring in 2001.

On September 5, 1970, Bernice married Wesson W. Taylor, Jr., creating many wonderful memories together for almost 23 years until his passing on April 22, 1993.

What started out in 1970 as a part-time hobby, Bernice’s skilled hands crafted many beautiful cakes turning her part-time business into a "full-time passion" offering many beautiful creations for over 31 years, and was fondly known as the "Cake Lady" by many. She also enjoyed crafts and crocheting, of which, she warmed the hearts of many with her crocheting of hats for cancer patients and newborns, which she provided to patients and families at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene.

During the holidays, Bernice could be found in the kitchen making cookies and her famous holiday mix to give to family and friends. She treated everyone she met as if she knew them forever, and with love and kindness.

Survivors include her daughter Bonnie (Taylor) and husband, Arthur Sonderegger of Winchester, NH; her sons, Vince Ylitalo of Concord, NH and Wesson W. Taylor III of Marlborough, NH; eight grandchildren, Amanda Spears, Jonathan Taylor, Joseph Butler, Joshua Sonderegger, Taylor Sonderegger, Jacob Ylitalo, Ryan Zukowski, Brent Zukowski; four great-grandchildren, Annalynn, Flynn, Addison, and Channing; a sister, Elaine Dupont, of Plainville, OH; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

She was predeceased by two daughters, Robin (Ylitalo) Tanner on June 1, 1995, Terri Ylitalo on September 18, 2020; and two brothers, Leopold Dufresne and Andre Dufresne.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. A graveside service will be held later this summer in the Evergreen Cemetery, Winchester, NH, at a date and time to be announced.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Mrs. Taylor’s memory to the Dartmouth Cancer Center at Kingsbury Pavilion, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431.