Shirley Helen Taylor

“For this child, I have prayed,” could be the best quote to sum up the found purpose of her life. To her we were all children of God here to learn lessons and accept our mistakes. SHIRLEY TAYLOR left her earthly form and health challenges at age 89 on August 28, 2024, to join our Lord and loved ones. Though her memory was fading in the last several years, she continued her purposeful prayer for all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Her most recent friends at Southside Gardens will remember her as the cute little lady with the hot pink gloves and cool sunglasses, who gave great hugs (and could be a little spicy). If you thought she was dozing during the day, she would say, “I was just praying!”

Born in a small town outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Robert and Helen Conover, Shirley considered herself a country girl. She moved to Lancaster to attend her beloved Sacred Heart Academy. There, she met her mentor Sister Genoveva, who shared her love of God and poetry. Love of the written word later translated into a job she loved. Shirley worked her way up from “ad-taker” to Special Features Editor and photographer at the Lancaster New Era newspaper. Her enjoyment of poetry, writing and reading continued until she lost most of her eyesight in the last few years of her life.

Shirley’s best job and highlight of her life were her children, Brad Herr (and wife Carolyn), Keith Herr (and partner David Pringle), Lisa Herr Broussard (and husband Thad), and bonus children from the United Kingdom, June Taylor Wiggins (and husband Richard) and Alison Taylor Belding (and husband Keith). Her joy grew with the addition of grandchildren, Melissa Broussard Carroll (and husband James) and Meredith Broussard Lona (and husband JP, John Paul) and her UK grandchild Katherine Belding. She added another beloved title as great-grandmother with the addition of Declan and Emerson Carroll of Houston and Avery and Briggs Lona of Baton Rouge. She adopted many “like children” friendships along the way!

Her grandchildren remember her home as the place to come to rest and recharge. “Shirley and Papa Neil’s Soup and Sandwich Kitchen” visit usually ended with her favorite, some ice cream. Then some TLC followed with a rest on her lap with the best soothing “tickle” ever! She was a fun, hip grandma who was always ready to play a game (especially scrabble) or go off on an adventure and always to church every Sunday. Their home was also a gathering place in the neighborhood for Bible study and prayer group.

Shirley loved traveling in her earlier life until her arthritis told her to stop. Her travels first began while living in Germany for two years with her husband and father of her children, Frank Herr. She explored Europe, Turkey, Egypt, the Caribbean and the beauty of our own national parks and coastlines. Her greatest adventure we called the “love boat” cruise resulted in finding her best life partner and love, a Scottish widower, Neil Taylor, to whom she was married over 30 years. She missed him dearly.

Special thanks must be given to her caregivers at home, Charlene, Tiffany, Lacey, and Nikki. Our gratitude goes out to all the ladies of Southside Garden Assisted Living, especially her birthday twin, Ariona. Eternal gratitude to the angel nurses at St. Joseph Hospice, Carpenter House, especially Megan, who supported us on her journey Home.

Thanks be to God for His gift of the life of Shirley Herr Taylor!

Anyone who feels called to do so, may donate to the St Joseph Hospice Foundation in Shirley’s memory. https://www.stjosephhospicefoundation.org/donations.php

A destination graveside memorial is being planned for Shirley in the near future. Family members will share details on how to join remotely after plans are finalized.