At sunrise, September 10, 2018, Harriett felt angel wings wrapped around her singing, “Alleluia! Alleluia!” After almost 93 years of a loving and beautiful life, she went peacefully and tranquilly to the heavens.
Harriett Taylor was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Harold and Dorothy Taylor on September 15, 1925. After only two years of Harold sharing his love with his sweet daughter, Harriett, he passed away unexpectedly of typhoid fever. Several years later, Dorothy married Dewey Hoge. He became her loving and caring step-father and he loved her as his own. Harriett went to St. Joseph’s Academy High School, Jacksonville Florida and enjoyed growing up with her cousin, Frank Long. Years later, she met the love of her life and her soul mate, Kay Scheller, and celebrated their love with marriage on November 15, 1944. They were so much in love and blessed with daughters, Lyndall in 1946 and Tracey in 1948.
Harriett was the most loving and devoted wife, mom and “Our Nana”. She enjoyed boating, water-skiing and camping with family almost every weekend. Harriett and Kay were members of the Gator Outboard Club and enjoyed family boating trips with their boating friends. Harriett enjoyed sewing clothes for her girls. She donated her time to the church and PTA, and helped anyone in need. She gave unconditional love to everyone. She loved entertaining and opening their home to family and friends. She loved decorating their house outside as well as inside for all holidays, but her most celebrated holiday was Christmas. Lights and decorations were in every room of the house, even the bathroom. Family and friends looked forward to her yearly joyous and beautiful festivities and all of the delicious foods she cooked by herself. After Kay’s retirement, they got a camper and shared a lot of great camping memories with Mary and Frank.
When they were blessed with their first grandson, Keith, and then again with Lee, Harriett always said they gave her more love and joy than she thought was possible. Every Christmas morning, they would get up very early just to be with Keith and Lee to watch the kids open Santa’s gifts. When she lost her love, Kay, to heart failure, Harriett struggled to survive but often said the love of Keith and Lee kept her strong. She continued to enjoy all of the years with the boys while they were growing up. When they both started driving, they would call Nana because they knew she always had the gas can ready to bring to them. When Nana learned that they both bought boats, the first thing she told them was that they better keep the gas tanks full, because she can’t bring them gas in the middle of the river. Family was the most important part of her life.
Harriett was so thrilled when she found out she was going to be a great-grandmother. She said being a grandmother was double-love, but while first holding her first great-grandchild, Cassidy, she exclaimed it was triple the love and joy. Soon she was blessed with great-grandchildren, Triston then Sean. She loved spending time with her great-grandkids, especially decorating Easter Eggs and carving pumpkins. When she became blessed with additional great-grandkids, Madison and Ian, she continued to share her love.
The loss of her daughter, Lynn, from cancer broke her heart. Soon after losing Lynn, Harriett was diagnosed with cancer. She found strength within the love of her entire family. She was such a survivor; nothing got her down—she was almost to the point of being stubborn, but that is what kept her going and going. As she was getting weaker, she and Ronnie, her son-in-law who she called her “son”, were devoted to each other helping one another. She would critique his cooking, saying he always put too much hot sauce in everything he cooked.
She always said she was blessed with a beautiful life and one that she loved every day. Everyone knew that her family came first in her life. Her love and joy of life with her infectious laugh will be incredibly missed.
If she would say anything today, she would say, “Never give up; love each and every day as if it was your last.” Don’t forget to save a place at the holiday table in her memory. I know you and Daddy are already dancing in heaven to your song “It Had to Be You.”
Peace and love be with you always Momma and our Nana. Your love and precious memories will be always have a special place in our hearts.
Harriett is survived by her daughter, Tracey Scheller Brown (Ronnie, deceased) of Jacksonville; grandsons Keith Brown (Lyn) of Flowery Branch, GA and Lee Brown (Cindy) of Friendswood, TX; great-grandchildren Cassidy Brown of Friendswood, TX, Triston and Sean Brown of Ormond Beach, FL, and step-grandchildren Madison and Ian McManners of Flowery Branch, GA. Harriet is predeceased by her husband, Kay Scheller, and daughter, Lynn Scheller Robertson (Mike Starn of Apopka, FL).
A mass of Christian Burial will be held October 21, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Fr. Michael Houle, pastor. A reception will follow the mass at Hardage-Gidden Beaches Chapel.
Feel free to wear your favorite garden colors in honor of Harriett’s love of flowers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, McGraw Center.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME BEACHES CHAPEL, 1701 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
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