Ella Cora Taylor

Ella Cora Taylor of Altoona, Florida passed away on September 28, 2024 at the age of 86. Ella was born in Long Island, New York on February 14, 1938. She was the oldest of two daughters to William Taylor (Charleston) and Ella Tiernan (New York). She had a younger sister, Madeline, who preceded her in death in 2000. Ella moved to Columbus, Ohio as young child, and later to Michigan by the time she was in 7th grade. This would be home for the next 50 plus years. Ella was born and raised as a Catholic. She later became a nun and she faithfully attended church every Sunday. Ella was involved in education and teaching for her career. She attended St Joseph Academy in Adrian, Michigan. She later attended Siena Heights College and then the University of Detroit where she graduated with a master’s degree in Education. During her career years, Ella spent a number of years as a nun and as a school teacher and ultimately as a teacher in the Detroit Public School System and later a school principal. She may have been small in stature but she was passionate and fierce about education. Ella even spent a few years teaching in Pakistan. In total she spent 44 years in Education. Even after retiring from the Detroit Public School system she spent 5 years working part time at the community college, and as a field supervisor at the University of Michigan mentoring and guiding new teachers. Ella enjoyed traveling, and always said she was fortunate to experience many adventures around the globe during her lifetime. She told others she “lived a full life”, and that she definitely did. On Saturdays in the fall, Ella could be found cheering on the University of Michigan Wolverines which included a considerable amount of yelling at the television. In good times and bad, she supported her hometown teams, especially the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. Ella adored her dogs. Pudgy, Treena, Buddy, Charlie and Casey were her furry companions over the years. She’d tell you that Buddy was her favorite. She loved her dogs and the companionship and joy that they brought into her life. Walking them daily and visiting with her neighbors along the way kept her fit and social during her nearly three decades of retirement. After her professional years, Ella moved to The Villages in Florida where she had many, many friends, long term and short term, enjoyed a busy social life, including her theatre and game groups playing Mahjong and Rummikub to name a few, volunteered on a crisis hot line and for hospice, and worked as a Guardian Ad Litem. Her last few years were spent at Lakeview Terrace in Altoona, Florida with old friends and new. She was a wonderful Aunt to her only sister’s four children as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews, which she had many. If there was a birthday, graduation, wedding, or any other big event, Ella was there in support. Ella was preceded in death by her mother, Ella Tiernan, and father, William Taylor. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Madeline Daoust. She is survived by her nieces and nephews Maureen Hedlund, Dan Daoust (Mindy), Marjie Swiney (Jim) and Mike Daoust (Sarah). She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces. Ella lived a wonderful, full life. She was very blessed and extremely well loved by family and many, many friends, and she was a blessing to so many. She was also a teacher, counselor, mentor, volunteer, and supporter. She will truly be missed. May she rest in peace. A Memorial Mass will be held at the St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, at noon. St. Mary of the Lakes is located at 218 Oklawaha Ave. Eustis, FL 32726. Arrangements are being handled by Beyers Funeral Home in Lady Lake, Florida. www.BeyersFuneralHome.com. Monetary donations in Ella’s memory can be made to any of the following organizations that were near and dear to her heart: Adrian Dominican Sisters Attn: Development Office 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr. Adrian, MI 49221 Adriandominicans.org Guardian Ad Litem (FL) Attn: Donations P.O. Box 10688 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Flgal.org Capuchin Soup Kitchen Capuchin Province of St. Joseph 1820 Mt Elliott Street Detroit, MI 48207

Ella Cora Taylor

February 14, 1938 - September 28, 2024