Mary McClure Taylor

TAYLOR, Mary Eleanor McClure – Age 81, born March 5, 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio died peacefully in her home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 5, 2012 after a short illness.  Mary was the daughter of Dr. Christopher Columbus McClure (pioneer in the study of radiology and founder of the Vanderbilt Department of Radiology) and Nelle Dunn McClure. Mary was predeceased by her parents; brother, Dr. Christopher C. McClure, Jr.; husband, Robert “Bob” Campbell Taylor; McClure cousins in Jackson, Alabama including Emeline McClure Porter; Mary’s great niece, Maria Compton Averett, and niece, Marguerite Wallace McClure Averett.  She is survived by  sister-in-law, Marguerite Wallace McClure; niece, Chrissie Wallace McClure; nephew, Dr. Christopher C. McClure III, wife Rossana, their children, Christopher, Rossana, Adriana and Alec Jorma; nephew, Guy Wallace McClure, wife Jeanah, and children, Heather, Clara and Guy, including Heather’s husband, Alan Webb, and children, Melissa June and Sara Wallace. She is also survived by Major John Abbot Averett; his son, John Abbot Averett, Jr. and Marguerite WM Averett.; Robert C. Taylor, Jr., wife, Julie Yates Taylor, children Tru Taylor and Robert C. Taylor III., Vernon S. Taylor, Harrison H. Taylor and wife Deborah Cadwallader Taylor, and children, H. Hayes Taylor, Jr., Reed C. Taylor and Elise M. Taylor, Douglas R. Taylor and Elizabeth B. Morse, and their daughter, Sarah S. Taylor. Mary attended Peabody Demonstration School through the Twelfth Grade. An AOPi, she graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Political Science in 1952. Mary followed in her father’s footsteps, dedicating her life’s work to Vanderbilt University, which she served faithfully for fifty-seven years. The University honored her service by naming the reception area at Kirkland the Mary McClure Taylor Hall. She was a Board Member of Centennial Club, a member of The Dubious Diggers Garden Club, Sewing Club, and Bridge Club.   Mary was always interested in travel (she visited England and her personal favorite, Italy) and various points of interest in the United States. She was an avid Vanderbilt Basketball fan and rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Commodores. Mary taught Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church and was a benefactor of the McNeilly Day Home.  She was a patron of the Nashville Symphony and loved Opera. Described by her dear, lifelong circle as a caring and perfect friend, she maintained deep friendships literally from “the sand box” and cherished each one individually.  Her kindness and sweet smile will truly be missed by all who had the privilege to know her. The family wishes to express its gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support during Mary’s illness. Visitation will be held at The Cheek House at First Presbyterian Church on Franklin Road, from 11:30 until 1:00 with a Memorial to follow at 1:00 PM in the Stanford Chapel on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 with Pastor Sandra Randleman officiating.  A private interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to endowed need-based scholarships for undergraduate students at Vanderbilt University. Arrangements by: Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204. (615)-383-4754. www.woodlawn-roesch-pattonfh.com