Shirley L. Taylor

ATHOL- Shirley L. (Merriam) Taylor, 89, of Athol, died Tuesday, January 24, in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Home. Shirley was born January 8, 1928, in Springfield, daughter of the late Vernon and Blanche (Pinney) Merriam. She lived in Springfield until 1940 when her family moved to Athol. Shirley graduated from Athol High School in 1946. She played piano and keyboard since 1944, with her husband, Pete Taylor’s Dance Orchestra until the 1970’s. She continued to play throughout her life. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Athol. She worked as a credit department clerk for L.S. Starrett Company. She leaves her husband of 70 years, Peter P. Taylor; two sons, Jeffrey Taylor and his wife, Susan of Richmond, NH, and Gregory Taylor and his wife Susan of Westminster; one daughter, Ardis Sheule and her husband, Karl of Beaufort, NC; nine grandchildren, Trevor Mildren, Rueben Mildren and his wife, Eriko, Jenny Woods and her husband, William, Julie Todd- Hellriegel and her husband, Paul, Justin Taylor and his wife, Michelle, William Packard and his wife, Diane Hill, Adrian Packard, Stephanie Pearson and her husband, Peter, and Ethan Taylor; 14 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Woods, Makayla and Bryson Todd, Joshua and Justin Hellriegel, Emma and Zoe Taylor, Taylor and Bella Pearson, Liam Packard, Rueul, Mai, Marie, and Ellen Mildren; one brother, Wes Merriam and his wife, June of No. Fort Myers, Florida. The funeral will be held Monday, January 30, at 12:00 P.M. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Park Ave., Athol. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday, January 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. in Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Park Ave., Athol, MA 01331.