Diane Elizabeth Taylor

Anyone who came into the presence of Diane Elizabeth Taylor never forgot her laugh. She gave smiles and laughter to friends and strangers alike. Her laughter was an expression of her happiness and joy to be alive. She loved her family and friends deeply. Diane, Aunt Dee Dee, or Dee were her AKAs.

Diane was the second child born to Robert and Elizabeth Taylor on 5 January, 1944. Her sister Barbara was there to welcome the healthy baby girl. Though Diane never had children, her sister gave her three nephews whom she adored. Michael, Steven, and Christopher were her avenues to express love as a doting aunt. They, in turn, gave her seven great nieces and nephews whom she cherished. Her sister was her best friend throughout her life and she was cared for by Barbara during her last weeks of life.

In Williamsburg, the Burke family was her rock for many years and loved her as their own. She was a devoted friend and family member to those she loved including her best friend, Joyce.

Diane loved everything about her upbringing. She loved her birth place Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Steelers, the streets and neighborhoods where she played as a child and went to school, and her family history. She loved animals, children, her friends, freedom, and her garden. Although she went to school at Florida State University and became a teacher of young children, she never lost her affection for Pittsburgh. Her forty years as an educator gave her the opportunity to travel the world. She taught in FL, GA, CO, and spent twenty odd years in Asia and Europe teaching children of military service members as a Department of Defense Dependent Schools educator. Finally she taught in Newport News Public Schools and retired in 2008. She lived in James City County for over twenty years and made many friends here. Those who loved her will miss her deeply. She died on 14 June, 2016 after a two-year battle with small cell lung cancer.

A private memorial service will be held in her home in July. In lieu of flowers, Diane asked that donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsencares.com.