Marjorie Ann Taylor

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marjorie A. (Geurtze)Taylor, age 86, of Acushnet, Massachusetts, on January 6, 2024. She died peacefully at home, as was her wish, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The care and support she received from her family and friends during her illness was a testament to how deeply and widely she was loved.

Born in Albany, New York, Marge was the daughter of the late Dorothy (Travis) Geurtze and the late H. Kenneth Geurtze. Having lost her Mom at a young age, she was later blessed with a stepmom, the late Winifred (Scoons) Geurtze. She was raised in Unionville, New York, where she lived with her parents and her seven siblings. She attended Bethlehem Central High School, where she studied business. Marge was a popular young lady during high school, participating in everything she could, from intramural basketball to cheerleading, to student government, and more. After high school, she put her secretarial skills to work in her job at the New York State Thruway Authority.

Some years later, at a friend’s wedding, a tall, handsome, young marine caught Marge’s eye, and a love story was born. That young marine, William F. Taylor, would faithfully drive up from duty in Paris Island, SC to visit his “Margie” each weekend. At the end of his enlistment, “Bill” moved back to Albany, NY, took a job with Tobin Meat Packing Company, and he and Margie were married and began their forever together.

In 1960, a Tobin sales route opened up in Southeastern Massachusetts, and Marge and Bill moved to what would become their forever home in Acushnet. They raised their five children in this home, surrounded by the best neighbors anyone could hope for.

Both Marge and Bill were very involved in their community and their church, and, as presidents of the first Saint Francis Xavier Home School Association, helped to raise the funds and support to build what is now Saint Francis Xavier School on Main Street in Acushnet. Marge even helped to select the beautiful red tartan plaid uniforms that were originally worn by all Saint Francis students. She also volunteered frequently as a school recess monitor, and was always a student favorite as she would join in on the fun, swinging a jump rope or teaching and playing along with group games.

In the early 1970s, Marge and Bill became owners and operators of Standard Laundry in New Bedford, where they managed a thriving business. One cold winter night in 1978, the building was destroyed by a fire, which eventually led to the closing of the business. Both went on to seek new employment, and Marge became an assembler at US Ringbinder Corporation in New Bedford. When the receptionist position became available, Marge became the “voice” of the company, answering calls and greeting visitors while completing multiple tasks to help other departments. Her family used to get a good laugh whenever she slipped up and, out of habit, answered her home phone with a cheery, “US Ringbinder, may I help you?” After a number of years as receptionist, Marge was promoted to her dream job, Executive Secretary to the President of the company, a position she proudly held until its operations were relocated to St. Louis. She made some great friendships during her working years, many of which endured throughout her lifetime.

Early in 1995, Marge lost her Bill to cancer. After retiring, her days focused on her adult children and caring for her grandchildren, which she often said helped her immeasurably in getting over her grief and starting to feel needed again. She absolutely loved attending family members’ sporting, dance, and musical events. It also gave her great joy to maintain her lovely home and yard. She could often be found outside working tirelessly in her garden, caring for her meticulous lawn, and sculpting her privet hedges. As Marge grew older, those jobs gradually fell to family members, but she would always oversee their work to make sure it met her high standards, earning her the affectionate nickname, “The East German Judge.”

The Taylor home was a welcoming place for generations of family and friends who routinely gathered around Marge’s extra large dining room table to eat her delicious cooking, play games, or just while away the time chatting. If you happened to drop by in the mornings, you would most likely catch her sitting there in her red bathrobe, and working out her crossword puzzles to the music of Kenny Rogers. Marge had a way of making everyone feel like family. She was warmly referred to as “Grammy” by so many people who knew her. She would often jokingly refer to each of her children in turn as her “favorite.”

Marge was the kindest and most loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend that anyone could wish for. She was the glue that kept her family close, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her children: daughter Lori and her husband Tino Vitorino, daughter Lynn and her husband Michael Durand, daughter-in-law Linda (LeBlanc) Taylor, daughter Colleen and her husband Brian Archer, and son Eric Taylor and his partner Gayle Warren. She was also the mother of the late Christopher Taylor, who passed early last year.

Survivors also include her grandchildren: Christopher Taylor Jr. and his wife Melissa, Jarod Vitorino, Brielyn Vitorino Souza and her husband Ian, Justin Vitorino, Matthew Durand and his wife Lauren, Eryn Fogle and her husband Arthur. Megan Aguiar and her husband Derek, Olivia Durand, Noah Taylor, and Liam Archer. She was also grandmother to the late Adam Taylor. Her great-grandchildren are Shea, Leighton, Quinn, Audrey, Pearl, Eleanor, and Luna.

Marge is also survived by: sister Bobbie Broader and her husband Jack, brother Kenneth Geurtze and his wife Linda Kaplan, brother-in-law Howie Loucks, sister-in-law Barbara Mott Morris and her husband Norman, sister-in-law Anne Taylor Cote and her husband Rick, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition, Marge had the great fortune to have many dear friends in her life. She so enjoyed their calls, visits, and regular luncheons together. Her friends brought her such joy over the years, and their devotion to her was especially evident towards the end.

Donations in her name may be made to Hope Lodge, Boston, where Marge and her caregivers stayed during her cancer treatment. Donations can be mailed to: Hope Lodge Center, 125 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130 or Or they can be made online at: https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1213

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 3:00 to 6:00PM in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02745. Relatives and friends are invited. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10:00AM in St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main Street, Acushnet, MA 02743. Burial is Private. To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com