Blanche E Taylor

Blanche E.(Bates) Taylor, 78, of Worcester, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 5, 2011, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Blanche is survived by a daughter, Debra (Taylor) Claudio of Webster; two sons, Leslie L. Taylor, Jr. and Michael A. Taylor, both of Worcester; a brother, Harry E. Bates of Farmington, CT; a sister, Doris E Shavies of Tacoma, WA; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Brooke, Robert, Christopher and Chavani; eleven great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a grandson, Michael "Mikey" A. Taylor, II; her former husband, Leslie L. Taylor, Sr.; as well as two brothers and four sisters, Ernest E. Bates and Carl O Bates, Jr., Lillian L. Lane, Mary E. Williams, Alice M. Ward and Jessie E. Johnson. Blanche was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Carl O. and Gladys (Hennessey) Bates. She graduated from Commerce High School and has lived here all her life. Mrs. Taylor retired in 1982 from New England Telephone, where she had worked for many years. She had previously worked as a cashier at "The Mart" and was an aide at the former Rutland Heights Hospital, following her work at the former Carl Burwick Bag Company. She was a life-long member of Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church. Her dedication to her spiritual family kept her active in all facets of her church including serving as a Trustee and Trustee Secretary, a class leader, choir member and greeter. She was active in many church clubs and missionary activities. She was a member of The Worcester Community Gospel Choir, the Telephone Pioneers and Healthy Network. Blanche was a Native American Indian and was a member of the Nipmuc Indian Tribe, where her father was Chief Sun Cloud. She remained active in the Nipmuc regional and national circles. Her heart was full of friendship and love, and she cherished her children, grand and great grandchildren. Her caring for others was shown in the way she would make sure that everyone was fed, not only with the wonderful cakes and foods she would make from scratch, but with the spirit of God's loving kindness. Blanche was born to shop and loved a bargain. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m. in Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church, Illinois Street, Worcester. Interment will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. IN lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Why Me Sherry's House, 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602 or www.whyme.org