Clara Eleanor Taylor

Mom and her family lived on a dairy farm and later on the Water Ranch in Orange County. Life on the dairy farm and the Water Ranch was not easy but she was never alone. She was one of nine children, three boys and six girls. She was shy in her early years, but those who knew Mom in her later years know she was not afraid to voice her opinion.

She learned responsibility early as she had to help with the dairy and taking care of her youngest siblings. Skills learned while caring for those siblings translated into her being such a good mother. Her parents, Harold and Clara were very protective of their children.

During the Depression Years when hobos would pass through their property her mother would make the children hide under the bed. The children were also not allowed to go to other children’s homes. Luckily, her best friend Hazel Morrow was a home acceptable to her parents as both dads went to school together.

Mom grew to adulthood; met; and married Milton Taylor on December 5, 1937 at the First Methodist Church in Oceanside. To that union they were blessed with three children, Larry, Patricia and Gail. To this day, we girls say that Larry was her favorite.

During her years of employment she worked at Huckabee’s, spent 15 years at W. T. Grants, retail store and another few years at JC Penny’s. After which her family retired her.

Mom was very proud of her association with the Emblem Club. Her shining moment was in 1955, when she was elected President of the Oceanside Chapter. She was honored to represent her club at the National Convention in Alabama. A trip she cherished.

Mom was a person you could depend on. She was always there for her family whether helping with weddings, taking care of newborns or helping recovery from surgeries.

Mom was all about family. She loved holidays and spending time with her family. She love traditional holidays and her family endeavored to give her that.

Mom loved watching sports. Her favorites were baseball and football. She love her Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and would also spend time working on Word Search Puzzles to keep her mind sharp.

She was an avid reader often sharing books with her daughter Patricia. One of her greatest challenges was reading the entire Bible; a task many of us have not even tried to accomplish.

Mom took pride in her appearance. At the tender age of 97, while watching a commercial for Life Style Lifts, she remarked “I wonder if I could benefit from one of those”. She was always complimented on how young she looked, even at 98. She always had a classic style.

If you were to ask mom what some of her fondest memories were, I think that she would say, the birth of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her only great-great grandchild. One of the grandchildren , Jason was born on her birthday, which made it a special moment in her life.

She always enjoyed all of the family weddings. And who will ever forget Jason's 40th birthday where mom was dressed as a “hippie”-- PEACE.

Mom was old school in many ways but was surprisingly accepting of some of the current social changes. She had a great sense of humor and like most Shadowens kept her emotions under wraps.

There were a few things on her “Bucket List” that did not get accomplished. She played piano in her early years, but had to give it up. She always wanted to continue lessons. She also wanted to dine in the “Grand Dining Room” at the Hotel Del Coronado. She did, however, get her trip to Catalina. She was wheel chaired around the island, including up three stories on the ramps of the Casino. This was a place she went dancing as a young adult.

We believe mom was pretty happy in her later years . She lived with Patricia and her family for about 11 years and the last 12 years in the care of her daughter Gail. She was always surrounded by her family and we all know mom was all about family. She lived for those Sunday calls from her son Larry.

She is survived by her sisters, Louise and Helen, Son Larry (Marion), daughters Patricia (Jerry) and Gail, granddaughter’s Belinda (Tommy), and Karen (Casey), grandson’s Jason (Alicia), and Brett (Sterena). Eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She will be tremendously missed, and for those that believe---- you know you will see her on the other side.

In Loving Memory

Larry, Patricia, and Gail