Margaret Handley Taylor

Margaret Handley Taylor, 88, of Westerly, passed away peacefully in her home away from home on June 28th. She was the wife of the late John Uttley Taylor, and they were reunited on their 69th wedding anniversary.

Born April 26, 1933 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Gladys (Grayson) Handley.

Margaret grew up north of Manchester, England during the depression and World War II. Margaret met husband John while both were working at a cotton mill, and they married on June 28, 1952. Margaret and John traveled all over Europe (often on a motor scooter!) during their early years together, and immigrated to the United States with their daughter Carol in 1961, settling in Enfield, Hartford, and Vernon, CT. Margaret relocated to Westerly, RI, in 2015 to be near her son and his family in her later years. Margaret was a kind and gracious woman, and a wonderful and loving mother. She and John gave their two children a life full of music, adventures, and many happy times. Margaret worked as a medical assistant for Dr. Marjorie Purnell in Rockville, CT., and later for a pediatrician, Dr. Parnes, in Vernon before retiring. After retirement, Margaret volunteered at Manchester Memorial Hospital for several years. She enjoyed knitting clothing for her children and grandchildren, as well as baby blankets for charity. She also enjoyed listening to John’s bands (The Manhattans and Johnny T.’s Super Big Band) and the likes of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como. She was preceded in death by John in 2012, and grandson Ethan Taylor in 2001.

Margaret is survived by her daughter Carol E. Tarquinio and her husband, Al, of Kingman, AZ; son Mark R. Taylor and his wife, Leslie, of North Stonington, CT; brother Raymond Handley and his companion, Pat Hunt, in England; three grandchildren, Britton and her husband Trevor, Colin and Samuel; a great grand daughter, Madeline; and many dear friends and relatives in England.

Margaret’s family wishes to express profound gratitude to her friends and the staff of The Elms and Carriage House at The Elms (Retirement Communities), Fox Rehab, and Beacon Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Westerly Animal Shelter.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 9th at 11am at Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly, RI 02891.

A calling hour will be held at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 10:00am.

Private burial will follow at Valley Falls Cemetery in Vernon, CT.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com