Nancy Calkins Taylor passed away Feb. 12, one week short of her 96th birthday. A 50-plus year resident of Evanston, Nancy was born in Hamilton, Ontario in Canada on Feb. 19, 1928, to Charles and Anne (Casey) Calkins. She was preceded in death by the love of her life of 62 years, Harry G. Taylor.
She is survived by her children, Charlie (Lizzy), Mary (Donald) Vogel, Anne (Steve) Persaud, Ed (Susie) and Richard (Lisa); grandchildren, Stephanie (Omar) Salem, Theresa (Brent) Abas, Colleen (Andrew) Bednarz, Karl Vogel, Thomas Vogel, Anna Vogel, Nicholas Taylor, Henry Taylor; and great grandchildren, Sydney Salem, Cairo Salem, Elianne Abas and Harry Bednarz. She was the beloved aunt of numerous nieces and nephews.
A proud graduate of Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, Nancy started her professional career as the first Admissions Director there. After marrying Harry in 1957 they moved to Saint Mary-of- the-Woods, Indiana, where they began raising their five children. A job for Harry at Northwestern University brought the family to Evanston where Nancy eventually began her career at the National Merit Scholarship Corp. Nancy was a member of St. Athanasius Church for 57 years where she served as both a eucharistic minister and sacristan. She had a great love for the north woods of Wisconsin, especially St. Germain, where she spent many happy times with generations of family and friends.
A role model
She was a tremendous role model for her daughters, granddaughters, and nieces, blending family, career and public service into a life well lived. She took great joy in welcoming one and all into her home over the decades for after-school snacks, Saturday tailgates, happy hours, special holiday gatherings or a simple meal with friends. She was well into her 90s when she cheered for her Wildcats from the upper deck for the final time.
She will be remembered for her love of family, her faith and willingness to help those in need. The family wishes to express gratitude to the special caregivers who have assisted Nancy the last several years, especially Marjorie Brown.
Visitation is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Donnellan Family Funeral Services, 10045 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie.
Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at Saint John Newman Parish (Saint Athanasius Campus), 1615 Lincoln St. in Evanston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Maryville Academy, 1150 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016, Clarke University (in memory of Nancy Taylor, Class of 1949), 1550 Clarke Dr., Dubuque, IA 52001, or a charity of your choice.