<p>The widely-admired matriarch of the musical Taylor family died Saturday at her home overlooking Stonewall Beach in Chilmark, surrounded by family and friends. She was one month shy of her 93rd birthday. The cause was complications of old age.</p>
Trudy Taylor, the widely-admired matriarch of the musical Taylor family, died Saturday at her home overlooking Stonewall Beach in Chilmark, surrounded by family and friends. She was one month shy of her 93rd birthday. The cause was complications of old age, her daughter Kate Taylor said.
At once petite and sturdy, elegant and outspoken, Trudy had endless curiosity in people and the world around her, especially the natural world. She was a master gardener who earned state recognition for her sustainable seaside gardens that surrounded her modest home. Living by the sea came naturally to her; she grew up in Newburyport, the daughter of a commercial fisherman.
“My people were all fishermen, real fishermen,” she told the Gazette an interview last year. “We’re Vikings, on my father’s side.”
She had lived on the Vineyard year round since the 1970s, but began coming before that with her late husband Dr. Isaac Taylor.
“We discovered the Vineyard through the Massachusetts General Hospital,” she recalled in the Gazette interview. “The people who ran the Tashmoo Farm were from Mass General and they talked us into coming here.”
Isaac Taylor died in 1995.
In her long life Trudy had many passions and had traveled the world. But the Vineyard was the place she always called home. She brought plant cuttings from faraway places and with her green thumb nurtured them into lush everlasting beauties. Camellias, dwarf geraniums, Myer lemons and a fig tree all thrived alongside frogs, lizards and canaries in her dirt-floor greenhouse built from a kit.
“They’re my survival,” she said in a 2009 interview with the Martha’s Vineyard Magazine. “Winters are bleak here.”
She is survived by her three sons, James, Livingston and Hugh Taylor; her daughter Kate Taylor; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to Isaac Taylor, she was predeceased by her oldest son Alex Taylor.
There will be gathering to celebrate the life of Trudy Taylor on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center. In lieu of flowers donations are asked to go to Planned Parenthood.
Comments
a special mom to a special
Jack Gauthier w massa special mom to a special family
GODSPEED, Dear Trudy!! You
Bonnie Sirois West Medford, MAGODSPEED, Dear Trudy!! You will be missed...
She was a beautiful woman, a
Stephanie Magrino Fischbach St. Louis, MO.She was a beautiful woman, a great Mother. She loved her children and Martha's Vineyard very much. She was a good soul.
I made a lot of food for
Josh Aronie West TisburyI made a lot of food for Trudy, steamed a fair amount of milk to make her coffee hot. A unique lady. She will be missed.
I played at a benefit where
Lauren Passarelli BostonI played at a benefit where she was the guest of honor. And she was a hoot and so warm and loving to me, you'd think we were family. While on the buffet line she turned to alert me,
"Ooh chocolate, fill yer pockets."
I love it, Lauren! That is so
Debbie Phillips West TisburyI love it, Lauren! That is so totally Trudy!! I can see the impish look on her face when she said it too.
So sorry for your loss. From
Joanne Thompson Pease Torrington, CTSo sorry for your loss. From Bart Pease's widow. Bart knew James.
Thank you dear Kate for
Helen Benham New York CityThank you dear Kate for introducing me to your Mom. Visiting with her in her lovely home with the magical greenhouse
was fun --and fascinating ! Your amazing talents surely came from her. Love, Helen
She was very thoughtful. When
Eileen Maley West TisburyShe was very thoughtful. When our daughter Chloe was born, almost 39 years ago, Trudy came by with a big beautiful box (from a Paris baby boutique) with virtually new hand-me-downs from little Sally. All exquisite, all beautifully scented with Paris/baby scents. They later got passed on to little Bea Whiting. And from there.. who knows.
Rest in Peace and love and
Kelly Ames SmithRest in Peace and love and Art and music and beauty beyond our earthly comprehension. Thank you so much for the wonderful
Legacy of family and music and art you leave behind. You nurtured that love of music and tended that garden and it brings us infinite joy. Thank you. Prayers for your beautiful family - love and comfort for all you leave behind.
Trudy was a ray of sunshine
Joan morgan/ dream WeaverTrudy was a ray of sunshine where ever she went and saw beauty in everything! We often laughed about who would take the last outdoor shower every season! She will be missed by many!
May your family see through
Barbara Heizman Greenwood, MissouriMay your family see through the tears to celebrate nearly 93 years of your life. Raising 5 children was no easy task, and the one thing I am the most grateful to you for is instilling your love of music in every one of them. This was your gift, and they too carry it on proudly. Rest...you earned it. xoxo
Rest in Peace, Trudy.
Bob McMahon BostonRest in Peace, Trudy.
Thanks so much for your wonderful spirit!
And for long walks and talks, sushi lessons, hot tea, and unmatched inspiration.
Thoughts and prayers for your family and friends who will miss you dearly.
I had the pleasure of meeting
Jim ShepleyI had the pleasure of meeting her when I was doing some music work with Alex. what a beautiful person
I knew her only from what I
Julia Rastelli Reston, Va.I knew her only from what I read in Jame's book. I remember the passages about her, what she endured, how tough and gracious I thought her to be. We had some similar experiences as women, outside of the geography or our lives, and even in though we are of different generations...I connected with her life, her spirit. She inspired me and on more than one occasion I looked to her life as an example of courage and smarts. She was a gift, even so to people whom she never met. I remember telling Livingston at a concert...greeting him and telling him that I had read the book and the aspect that stayed with me the most, was his mother's example of how to get on with life. I asked him to pass that on to her if he had a chance. I don't know if it ever came to her, but the important thing is that she came to me. Prayers, love, and memories that leave you smiling are sent to the family. Thank you for sharing her story with the world.
I had the pleasure of meeting
Frances Keeping St Augustine, FloridaI had the pleasure of meeting and sailing with Trudy in the 80's and remember her kindness to me and the time we had together at her home. She was a joy and sang a song telling the tourists (myself included) to go home. I adored her mind, her spirit and her love of her children, her home and her family life. It was my privilege to have shared a period in time in her life and her love of the sea and travels. I will remember her fondly and send love to her and her family as they celebrate her life.
I first met Trudy on son Hugh
Peter Ferguson Oak BluffsI first met Trudy on son Hugh's boat on a ride to Cuttyhunk, also at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs where I worked with Livingston and Kate during Summer performances. She was a delightful woman who will be missed by all who knew her. My prayers are with the whole family.
This news has just reached me
Pierre Bourque OttawaThis news has just reached me .. I am heartbroken .. Trudy and I shared many passionate discussions over a number of recent years .. and there was a time when we stared out at each other over Stonewall Pond and called each other almost each evening .. what a fantastic lady .. my condolences to all family and friends ..
Trudy, I will miss you very much. Thank you so much for everything.
Pierre, so glad you found a
Isaac taylorPierre, so glad you found a friend in Trudy. She spoke about you often to me.
Your friendship was a blessing to her.
We're so sorry for family's
Linda Nash Naperville, ILWe're so sorry for family's loss.
Oh, this is a sad moment for
Katherine Scott TisburyOh, this is a sad moment for so many people.
For Trudy's children, for Chilmark, for the many different kinds of people on the Vineyard and elsewhere with whom she shared her many passions.
Each year at the Fair one could look forward to seeing a beautiful, intricate knitted garment entered by Trudy, generally with a blue ribbon attached.
I think Trudy, through her children, knew me as a teenager before I knew who she was. In later life she always treated me like family---even worrying about some poor love-life choices she saw me making!
My heart goes out to all the Taylors.
Wonderful memories of Trudy
Eric and Judy Bascom Longmeadow, MAWonderful memories of Trudy at the kitchen table with Hugh and Jeanne at the Outermost. Her passion and love of life were contagious, and it was always an honor to be in her company. Conversations with her were always engaging whether the topics were politics, art, or her "interests in everything", she was generous in sharing her knowledge and wisdom on all subjects. Our heartfelt condolences to family and her many friends. Trudy was a very remarkable and special woman.
Trudy was an Island treasure.
Jan Hatchard Vineyard Haven, MATrudy was an Island treasure. Simply irreplaceable. She's left wonderful memories to sustain her family and all who loved her.
I will miss Trudy. I really
Tim Boland West TisburyI really enjoyed my visits to her house and the engaging conversations about gardening and plants. I once shared with her a poster of the Oaks of the Southeastern United States. Amazingly, she knew most of them by their leaves and talked about her time in the woods exploring nature. A zesty, lively, and engaging woman, I will miss her.
Sorry for your loss. You are
Dana L. Murphy Edgewater, FLSorry for your loss. You are,in my prayers.
We will miss her so much!!!
Jeanie McLerie and Ken Keppeler Silver City NMWe will miss her so much!!! We loved eating soup with her in her lovely home in Chilmark
What a precious gift she was
ann boyer chilmarkWhat a precious gift she was to who all who knew her!
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this
Tamara Sloan Ashfield, MAOh, I'm so sorry to hear this. Two amazing women in one year gone from the same pond. Trudy and my grandmother Peggy Freydberg, were of the few (if not only) year-round Stonewall Pond residents. They enjoyed the companionship of seeing each others lights on dark winter nights across the pond, long after the point when either was able to physically visit with the other. Farewell Trudy!
The day after Peggy arrived
Maribeth Oak Bluffs, MAThe day after Peggy arrived home from the hospital this past winter, the phone rang, I picked it, Trudy was on the line. She asked me to relay a message to Peggy that she was very happy to see the lights back on across the pond. The message pleased Peggy enormously. I agree, two lovely souls have vacated Stonewall this year.
With love to the Taylor
Jeanne Wallace NewburyportWith love to the Taylor family from Newburyport. What a kind & loving soul. Beauty in every flower.
I only knew Trudy just a
Angelo DiMeglio Oak Bluff's Ma.I only knew Trudy just a little bit.When I saw her she was alway's lovely and said hi.She made a lovely family, and all are very nice.Stay strong during this hard time and live on and cherish the good memorie;s..With Afection,Angelo DiMeglio
My condolences to the Taylor
Rob Lazarus Denver, ColoradoMy condolences to the Taylor family. Big fan and a lover of the Vineyard where I've spent many memorable moments.
Including one where I got stuck on the island due to an accident and missed James in Philly but met Carly that same night at a gas station.
I'd be interested in knowing if Trudy had any contact with Carly, Sally and Ben's Mom.
James hasn't talked to Carly since the day they split up and wonder whether she has since their both on the Vineyard.
May she rest in peace
john quinn galway irelandMay she rest in peace
Long ago my daughters and I
Jennifer Almquist Norfolk, CTLong ago my daughters and I stayed in James' home on the Vineyard. Within moments of our arrival,Trudy appeared with arm loads of wild flowers. Our friendship was sealed immediately, and I have loved her ever since. Elegant, warm, brilliant, creative, no nonsense, Trudy was a force of Nature. Her rare human qualities inspire me to this day, and she will remain in my heart forever. Before I married my husband, I brought Tom to stay with her for the weekend hoping for her approval! I close my eyes and the certain slant of golden light across the sea and her gardens glows and she is waving farewell. Smooth sailing ahead Trudy, I love you.
How beautiful all these
Wendy Vickers Jones CincinnatiHow beautiful all these memories and tributes to Trudy. If only she could read them.
A wonderful friend and
Regina Maris Crew Member 1976 Trans Atlantic Trip/ 1976 TallshipsA wonderful friend and shipmate to many onboard that memorable trip. Thank you Trudy for being there.
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