Mary Ann Taylor

Mary Ann was a free spirit with a childlike but serious faith who loved to entertain people with her comedic wit and humor. There was never a dull moment around Mary Ann! She was the spice of life and she beat Lucy Ricardo at her own game.

Mary Ann had a selfless nature. She worked to put her husband through school for his undergrad, MBA and PhD, but her true passion was found in helping others. Friends, neighbors, relatives, church members and total strangers all were graced by her help in whatever way was needed, usually with a hilarious story to tell afterward!

In addition to being selfless, she was a woman on a mission. She poured her heart and soul into helping Liberian refugees such as Rosetta, Yujay and Jared, who essentially became part of the family, and many cherished others who were transitioning to life in the US.

Another of her great achievements was her determination for her husband Tom to overcome his cancer diagnosis. Given a short term prognosis, Mary Ann researched and implemented every naturopathic tool she could find to help him. He lived another quarter of a century!

Mary Ann loved being a homemaker for her family, making breakfast and dinner every single day. But Christmas breakfast was anticipated and celebrated by all, an incomparable Southern feast!

Simpler memories of Mary Ann include turning a half stick of gum into a special treat on a tight budget. She loved watching old movies, making a home home-y and always finding a spot for one more picture, going out with friends, taking trips, and wearing hats! Plants adored her green thumb. Her friends were all-important to her, many she had from childhood, and others who were her bedrock in later phases of life.

Mary Ann’s laughter, melodious voice, and welcoming spirit will be missed every day by those she leaves behind: her daughter Lori, sons Jeff and Kenny, daughter in laws Stephanie and Cindy, 11 grandchildren: Christopher and his wife Lucy, Wesley, Sophie, Charlotte and her husband Luke, Mia, John, Sam, Phoebe, Calvin, Bea, Valentina, and 5 great-grandchildren: Chi, Ellie J, Leo, Haven, Theodora, and Isabella. She also leaves behind sisters Sylvia and her husband, Steve, Susan and her husband, Max, Cindy and her husband, Tom, sister-in-law‘s, Susan and Lorraine, her cousin Donna, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to help a cause near and dear to Mary Ann’s heart: Liberians in post war crisis who are facing hardship, poverty, critical deficits in education, and medical needs. These gifts will be sent directly to Liberia to be distributed.

Please mail to:

Rosetta Woods

719 Torrey PinesLane,

Fort Mill, SC, 29715