TAYLOR (Woodburn), Edith “Edie” Jean

With heavy hearts and great sadness, the family of Edith “Edie” Jean (Woodburn) Taylor announce her passing on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville after suffering a fall at her home in Lunenburg.

At 101 years, Edie lived a long and happy life, devoted to her family and her membership in various organizations.

Born in Glace Bay on May 15, 1922, Edie was the daughter of Alberta (Prince) and John Woodburn and the second youngest of eight children. Edie was the last of her immediate family, predeceased by her brothers Horace, Everett, Winston and Ralph Woodburn, and sisters Helen Mozvik, Beulah Woodburn and Irma Giacomini.

Edie is survived by her son-in-law Robert Turner, Lunenburg; grandson, Mark (Janet) Almeda, Ottawa; granddaughter, Terri Lynn Almeda (Mark Eisner), Green Bay; step-grandchildren, Robert (Sherry) Turner, Dawn (Theodore) Wamboldt, Kimberley (Justin) Hanekom, and Alison Turner, many step-great-grandchildren, step great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Edie was predeceased by her husbands, Mark Allen Tobin, Thomas Christie Black and Harris Taylor; her only child, Gloria Jean Turner; and her grandson, Jamie Almeda.

As a young woman, Edie was a member of the CGIT and in the junior choir of her church. In 1944, while on the train to visit her brother Ralph in the hospital, Edie met the love of her life, Mark Allen Tobin, who was a Chief Petty Officer First Class stationed in Sydney. They were married one month and eleven days later, and together with their daughter Gloria, they moved back to his hometown of Lunenburg where Mark was employed at Lunenburg Foundry.

The family moved to Halifax in 1952 as Mark began working at Stadacona. Edie worked at Zellers on Barrington Street and Western Furniture. Edie started at Zellers as part of their Christmas staff, and stayed for 14 years, in positions such as department head for children’s wear and finally in the office, where Edie was responsible for the opening and closing of the office safe.

In 1969, Edie and Mark returned to Lunenburg, where Mark built a home on Churchill Street, and Edie worked at Lunenburg Insurance. After Mark’s death in 1978, Edie was wooed by Thomas Christie Black, Lunenburg, and they enjoyed many years of travels, including trips to England, Scotland, the Netherlands, and winters in Florida. After Tom’s death in 1994, Edie continued to spend winters in Florida, where she met her third husband, Harris Taylor.

Edie was a member of the United Church, including the United Church Women (life member) and Choir, Rebekhas (member since 1948) and Order of Eastern Star (since 1965). As the OES District Deputy Grand Matron, she deputized the Pearl Chapter and was also the Grand Representative to Alberta.

Edie enjoyed crafts (crochet, quilting), daily puzzles (crosswords, Sudoku and Cryptoquote), cards, and dancing. Edie was a generous, loyal, thrifty, and independent woman. Edie lived at her home until a fall days before her death, thanks to the care of her son-in-law Bob and good friend Sharon, and she shared the home for many years with Gloria and Bob.

Edie’s best friend was her daughter, Gloria. They enjoyed many years living together in Lunenburg, along with weekly hair appointments, OES meetings, and trips to visit Edie’s grandchildren.

As a grandmother, Edie was one of a kind. She was beautiful, kind, caring, loving and compassionate. Nan as she was affectionately known was a second mother to Mark, Terri Lynn and Jamie, when Gloria moved to Lunenburg with the three children in 1972, with each of the grandchildren looking up to her as a role model and having our lives enriched by her. As we grew older, we all still loved to visit Nan and be with her until her last days. Visits with her grandchildren brought her much joy, especially when she was surrounded by all of us together. Nan was the best grandmother we could ever have asked for and we are so thankful she was part of our lives. Nan has returned to be with the angels.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Highway 3, Lunenburg. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service to celebrate Edie’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Donations to Central United Church and ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership).