Dear Godmother...R.I.P.

I am writing to you this evening from the Quality Inn in Zephyrhills, Florida. We have been here since Friday evening. I am with my mother and my Auntie Katie, her sister.

My Aunt Mae, who also was my godmother, died last Sunday at the age of 86, here in Zephyrhills. She was the wife of my maternal grandmother's youngest brother, George Taylor. Uncle George died in July of 2001.

Aunt Mae was originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area, born in Avella and growing up near Cuddy. They married in 1946, and lived in Schererville Indiana until my uncle retired from Witco Chemical in 1979. They moved to Zephyrhills shortly after that. They had no children.

On November 12, 1961 at St Christopher's gymnasium, they became my godparents. The baptisms were held in the gym since a new church was being built.

Aunt Mae developed Alzheimer's and in 2002 was admitted to Heartland Nursing Center here in Zephyrhills. Auntie Katie looked after her and Uncle George for many years, since they lived in St. Cloud in the Orlando area. When they moved back to Kentucky a few years ago, a nice woman looked in on Aunt Mae. Aunt Mae and Chris' mother were friends. Chris pretty much handled everything here in Florida. Thank God for her. She did a wonderful job and I believe kept Aunt Mae alive. Finally, at the age of 86, Aunt Mae's body decided to work no longer. Her mind had pretty much shut down and she was just living from day to day in her own world.

We buried her next to Uncle George at Oakside Cemetery here in Zephyrhills this afternoon. So now my godparents are back together again under the sunny Florida sky.

Thank you God for my godparents. They spoke for me on that November day and claimed me as one of Your children. Watch over them and give them all the mercy of Your love.

George Alexander Taylor 1917-2001 Mae Emily Valentine Taylor 1921-2007