Enid Lopes nee Taylor (aged 86) was born October 5, 1932 in Queens to Bernardo and Graciella Taylor (Mena), who moved from the US Virgin Islands and met in New York. Her younger brother Robert was born in 1936 and pre-deceased her on September 7, 2018. They were both raised in and around Corona Queens. An old family story tells of an infant taken to be baptized by her Aunt Enid Baa – unable to recall the name her sister had given the baby (Andromeda), Enid named the child after herself! Thus, began the incomparable life of Enid Marie Taylor! As a child she traveled back to St. Thomas to stay on the family’s estate called Dorthea, now the site of the Island’s agricultural center. She shared fond memories from that time including a favorite swing hung in a mango tree from which she used to sway and grab fruit to eat. There, as at home in New York she was constantly reminded that she was a young woman of dignity and grace. Active in the Carib-American community, Enid attended many dances (she was an excellent dancer to the end!) and met her future husband Vick while he was in the Navy. They began dating and often wrote letters to one another while Vick was overseas. She studied Biology at Hunter College and then married Vick in 1955, welcoming daughters Crystal in 1956 and Celeste in 1958. In 1963 the family moved to Plainview following Vick’s retirement from the US Navy after 20 years of service. Enid spent most of her time in Plainview as a homemaker but worked part time in doctor’s offices and later full time in Community Relations for WLIW, a LI-based public TV station. This fit right into her personal philosophy of giving back – Enid could often be found volunteering for different causes such as the Guide Dog Foundation, the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation, the Hobart and William Smith College Parents Association, and POB Friends of the Library. After retiring from WLIW, Enid joined several organizations, most notably the Red Hat Society’s “Cheshire Cats”, where she was known as Co-Queen Wandering Wisteria as well as a member of the elite “Divine Divas” and “Elegants”. She also enlisted in the St. Pius X Seniors, the Columbiettes, and the TOBAY Players. Enid will be remembered for the natural elegance, grace, vibrancy and warmth she brought to every occasion and to all who met her. Her faith in God was unwavering and her devotional love for her family was unmatched. Her beautiful smile, steadfast loyalty, vitality, spunk and determination will be missed.
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