Obituary of Sally Edwards Taylor

Sally Edwards Taylor passed away May 29, 2024 at her Poughkeepsie, New York home. She was 91 years old.  Anyone who ever met Sally knows that this quote from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream captures her perfectly: “Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Sally graduated from Wellesley College and moved to Dutchess County with her husband Richard Taylor in the late 1950’s.

While raising three daughters, Sally helped establish the Poughkeepsie Family Development and Day Care Center, supported Democratic party candidates, interviewed prospective Wellesley students, and served on the boards of the Day Care Center, Poughkeepsie Ballet Theatre and Grinnell Library. As her daughters entered high school Sally earned a second degree at SUNY New Paltz and began a long career as an early elementary teacher, first at St. George’s School and then at the Poughkeepsie Day School.

Her community involvement continued to reflect her diverse interests; volunteering at the Bardavon Opera House, Locust Grove Estate, Mohonk Preserve, and serving as the “story lady” at the Grinnell Library for more than 40 years.

With Christ Episcopal Church, Sally contributed to Bread for the Journey, the summer camp program, and Backpacks for Kids. Recognized as a senior citizen volunteer of the year by New York State, Sally was always willing to help the causes she believed in. For years, a towel given to her by her daughters hung in her kitchen. It read, “stop me before I volunteer again.” Fortunately, no one did. 

Expert cook, baker (we’ll always remember the year she made a different kind of cookies every week to win a bet), lover of travel, reciter of poetry and Shakespeare, Sally may have been happiest sitting on the floor reading to a circle of children.

Wife, mother, teacher, and advocate who lived a rich and meaningful life, Sally is survived by daughters Janet Gangemi and her husband Vincent Gangemi, Penny Taylor and Celia Taylor, grandchildren Isabella Ruekberg, Zachary Gangemi, Samuel Gangemi and his wife Jessica Gangemi and great granddaughter Ella James Gangemi.

Memorial Service will be held in the fall at Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie. Donations to the Bardavon Opera House or the Clearwater sloop in lieu of flowers.