Eleanor Taylor
Eleanor Taylor

New London, N.H. — Eleanor (Ellie) M Taylor widow of Jesse I Taylor, passed away at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, N.H., on Oct. 16, 2016. Born on Sept. 1, 1931, in Hermiston, Ore., she was the daughter of Mayor Clarence Meeker and his wife, Minnie Meeker. Graduating from Medford HS in 1949. Eleanor attended Willamette University as a piano major, transferred to Mount Union College in Ohio and graduated in 1953 with a English/ Drama, French Major. She toured Europe performing in the UK and Germany. Returning to the states, she continued her studies, graduating from Columbia University with an MFA degree. Ellie flourished in New York, performing in off-Broadway and N.J. theaters. It was in N.J. where she met Jesse and were married on Aug. 22, 1956.

They started their family in Phillipsburg, moving to Bernardsville, Basking Ridge and finally to Bedminster, N.J. where they resided until retiring to New London, N.H. in 1997. Raising four children, Eleanor remained very involved in the performing arts. She was a 30+ year member of the National Society of Arts and Letters(NSAL), and was a past N.J. Chapter president and also served on the National Board. She was a co-owner in The Wacky Wicker store in Morristown N.J., a part time realtor, and even a substitute English teacher as St. Johns Academy. In her spare time, she was an avid reader, seamstress, and devotee of classical music and New York Times Crosswords. Ellie loved skiing with her family and friends and was always the envy with her Colorado ski tan.

She lived a very fulfilled life and leaves us many fond memories. May she reside in heaven with her husband who preceded her in death Nov. 2015. Ellie leaves her four children; Mark & Suzi Taylor, of Costa Rica, Lisa Taylor (Messer) of Canaan, N.H.; Lauri Taylor (Smerald) and her husband Peter of New London, N.H.; and Drew Taylor and his wife Kristalee Taylor, of Stanhope, N.J., as well as six grandchildren; Elizabeth Jane & Jessica Taylor, Jesse & Danielle Smerald, Max & Meredith Messer, 2 step granddaughters Monique and Alejandre, with 7 great grandchildren; Joshua, Alex Marie, Kaleb, Marcos, Alejandro, Samuel & Diego.

Service will be held Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, New London, N.H. Private inurnment will take place at The N.H. Veterans’ Cemetery, Boscawen, N.H. beside her beloved husband Jesse. In Lieu of flowers please give to the Memorial Fund to the Kearsarge Presbyterian Church.

To sign an online guestbook please visitwww.chadwickfuneralservice.com.