Florence Irene Roberts Taylor

June 23, 1923 – June 19, 2017

A long life of duty and public service ended on June 19, 2017 with the passing of Florence Irene Roberts Taylor of Franklin, Indiana, formerly of South Bend, Indiana.

She was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, on June 23, 1923, to Joda Christy Roberts and Ivan J. Roberts, both now deceased.

She graduated from Ottumwa High School and attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now Truman State University. She affiliated with Alpha Sigma Alpha, a teachers’ sorority, and remained a lifelong member.

While in college she met and married Loran Leslie Taylor, D.O., on January 2, 1944, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He preceded her in death in 1997.

The Taylors had two sons, Warren Leslie, who died in 1993, and John Wesley, who survives.

While in Bloomington early in their marriage, Mrs. Taylor was active in the Women’s Group of the First Christian Church, the Girl Scouts, and the Indiana Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (IAOPS) Auxiliary, and served as president for two years. While there she was Brownie Day Camp Director for two years.  The Taylors resided in Bloomington, Indiana, until 1951 when they relocated to South Bend, Indiana.

Mrs. Taylor was active in many community endeavors while living in South Bend, including over 50 years of membership in the Panhellenic Association, and the board of the Broadway Theatre League including 26 years of service as box office manager. Other activities included the United Way, the WNIT Television auction, and service with the Shrine Club Auxiliary. She was president of Presbyterian Players, on the board of directors for South Bend Civic Theatre, and a member of the St. Joseph County Republican Women’s Club.

In 1997 she received the Jule Warner- Frances Allen award for outstanding service to the Auxiliary to the IAOPS, where she was a life member.

Following her retirement from the box office of the Broadway Theatre League, she devoted time to maintaining her physical and mental health. She enjoyed a regimen of walking early mornings with friends at University Park Mall, and participation in a mystery book reading club.

She relocated to Franklin, Indiana and resided at the Indiana Masonic Home for over two years prior to her passing.

Her body has been donated to the Indiana University School of Medicine in the service of medical research. No services are planned.

Donations may be directed in her memory to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. which serves St. Joseph County, or the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri.