Ann was born in Warren, Ohio to Russell and Elizabeth Brooks. She grew up in Niles, Ohio and graduated from Hiram College with a degree in Elementary Education. She went to Oberlin College to pursue a higher degree in Christian Education and met her husband, Charles Taylor who predeceased her in 2004. They were partners in ministry and community development in NY and NJ with the longest tenure in Rochester, NY where together they led a thriving congregation. During this time, Ann was an elementary school teacher for the Rochester City School District with her last assignment teaching in the district’s Gifted and Talented program. Upon retirement from teaching, Ann worked as a coordinator for the Youth for Christ organization.
A chance vacation rental brought them to the Lahave Islands in 1969. Loving it so much, they purchased property and built a vacation home returning to spend time at Christmas and summers enjoying being part of the island community. These neighbors are a family of friends to this day. Charles retired from the Presbyterian Church USA and accepted a call in Springhill, Oxford, and Riverview, NS with the Presbyterian Church of Canada. He retired from full-time congregational service, and they were able to move to the island home year-round. They both remained active in the regional leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. Ann also became involved with the Atlantic Mission Society, a women’s’ organization supporting many Christian mission projects and training. She eventually would serve as the group’s President.
When Ann retired from her many leadership roles, she enjoyed welcoming family and friends to Nova Scotia as well as reading mysteries, continuing her personal spiritual studies, doing personal writing, and hosting celebratory get-togethers at her home when her mobility became reduced. She was always phoning family, friends, and church colleagues to make sure all were well. She was on the Board of the Lahave Islands Marine Museum for many years.
Ann will be missed by her daughter, Susan Rhodenizer (Craig) of NY; her grandson, Stephen; sisters-in-law, Margaret Walther of TN and Barbara Grace Sullivan of NH; multiple nieces and nephews; her close friends, Mary and Earl Smith, and many friends from Nova Scotia and Rochester, NY.
In Ann’s memory, put on your red lipstick, enjoy a glass of wine, have a Snickers bar, celebrate all the good things in your life, and take care of your neighbors.
REMEMBERING ANN AND CHARLES
Many knew of Ann Taylor, wife of Charles Taylor, a long-time pastoral leader in the Spirit Movement in Rochester, NY. Ann died on April 24th of this year in Nova Scotia where she had been living and working since Charles died in 2004. Ann was an intelligent, thoughtful, creative, dedicated, and faithful leader with Charles in the Rochester Region. Ellie and I worked devotedly week after week with Ann and Charles and others in the Local Church Experiment in the seventies. It left a lasting positive impression on all our lives. Peace in the midst of the unraveling.
~~ Carlton and Ellie Stock
We just learned from Susan Taylor Rhodenizer (Ann’s daughter) of Ann Taylor’s death in April in Nova Scotia. We worked with Charles (Pastor, Dewey Avenue Presbyterian Church, died in 2004) and Ann for six years in Rochester, NY, participating in the Local Church Experiment at Dewey Avenue Presbyterian Church, Rochester Region. Ann and Charles were both wonderful mentors, colleagues and friends. Ann and Charles headed up the 1974 Rochester Region Global Odyssey, and Ann returned to Rochester in 2014 for the 40th Global Odyssey Reunion. We mourn her passing and celebrate the gift of her life–her compassion, hospitality, intellect, servant leadership, creativity, passion, love, care for and engagement in her community, church, and larger world. We give thanks that we were so fortunate to know and work with Charles and her–a great team. May the legacy of her care and love continue through the lives of so many she touched and embraced.
