Obituary of Ann Irene TAYLOR (nee Hauser)

November 29, 1931 – Guelph, Ontario
March 16, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Ann Irene Taylor, devoted wife of Gordon Taylor, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020 at the age of 88 years. 

In an age when post-secondary education was uncommon for women, Ann received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Guelph, and went on to receive a Master’s degree in Home Economics with a specialization in textiles from Pennsylvania State University in 1957. Ann then worked as a researcher for the prestigious Textile Research Institute in Princeton, New Jersey. It was in Princeton that she met Gordon. They married on September 26, 1959, and relocated to Ottawa, Ontario. In 1963, Ann and her growing family moved to Calgary where she found her new home and a passion for the west. Ann dedicated herself to her husband and family, but for several years continued to study for interest at the University of Calgary, and informally through self-directed interests. Ann loved the outdoors, particularly the mountains and foothills, and was an active hiker until very recently. For many years she enjoyed bird watching while she walked, hiked, snowshoed and cross-country skied throughout our natural spaces.

Ann is widely known for her artistic talents, notably her passion for creating traditional hooked rugs. Ann had an exceptional talent for creating portraiture through hooked rug techniques, in addition to recreating ornate oriental patterns, other traditional patterns, sculptural items, and a multitude of small and large pieces, most of which were of her own design. She traveled throughout Canada and the US for decades, teaching others through her talent, providing patterns and intricately hand-dyed wool to her students along with her gentle direction and advice. Ann was a long-time and highly respected member of the Alberta Handicrafts Guild in Calgary. From 1991 to 1993, Ann served as president of the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists (ATHA), an international fellowship of over four thousand fibre artists, of which she was a member for decades. Ann also had an exceptional talent for painting, primarily creating exceptional landscape and still life watercolors. Ann saw beauty everywhere and captured details many would overlook. Ann was also accomplished in sewing and knitting. 

Ann found great strength in her faith, being a devout Roman Catholic. For fifty-five years she’s been a parishioner at St. Luke’s Church, first attending mass with her family in Brebeuf School while the church itself was being built. Ann was a member of the Catholic Women’s League, a bible study group, and was a Eucharistic Minister, offering sacrament, comfort and companionship to many ill and palliative members of the community for many years.
 
The world loses a gentle soul, artist and intellect with Ann’s passing. Her family takes comfort that her final days were peaceful and pain free. 

Forever remembered by her loving husband Gordon, Ann will also be remembered as the loving mother and mother-in-law of John and Coco Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Margaret (Peg) and Marc Lycan, and Barbara Taylor; and grandmother of Sarah and Amelia Kulle. Ann is also survived by her twin sister Mary Patmore, and sister-in-law, Mary-Louise Hauser. Ann had several nieces and nephews but had a special relationship with her twin sister Mary’s children, Debbie Patmore Ricketts and her husband Randy Ricketts; Michael Patmore and his wife Penny Patmore, and Michael’s children Nathan and Sarah. Ann had a special friendship with her sister-in-law Francine Taylor Mazenko, and her brother- and sister-in-law Doug and Helen Taylor. Ann had a wide circle of friends, too numerous to name.
 
Ann was predeceased by her siblings, Margaret Hauser, John (Jack) Hauser, Claude Hauser, and Dolores Svorcik; brothers-in-law, Ken Patmore,  Donald “Stuart” Taylor (Francine), and Boris Svorcik; and sister-in-law, Theresa Hauser. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Sacred Heart Columbarium.

Ann gave of herself through volunteer acts and donations. As such, if friends so desire in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ann’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

We extend our greatest thanks to the caring and thoughtful staff of the Manor Village of Varsity, those who visited her from St. Luke’s, and all the extended friends and family who provided their kind thoughts, cards and prayers for Ann.

In living memory of Ann Taylor, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3,   Telephone: 403-241-0044.