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Jacqueline E. Taylor, 89, of Speers Hill, formerly of Fallowfield Twp., passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024. A daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Armbruster Gesler, she was born on September 12, 1935. Jackie was a retired elementary teacher for the Waterford Township, Pontiac, Michigan, and the Ringgold School District. She had been a member of the Speers Methodist church where she taught church school and vacation bible school. Jackie was a 1953 graduate of Charleroi High School and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California University of Pennsylvania. She was a member of PSEA and NEA and PSEAR, Speers Civic and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Monessen chapter where she was president for a number of years. Jackie married her soul mate and love of her life, James John Taylor on July 20, 1955, and they celebrated 65 truly dedicated, loving, and wonderful years together. Their greatest enjoyment was having their family and spending time with them on vacations and at their home. Holidays were very special. Jackie and Jim loved to decorate the house, and cook and bake for every holiday for them. Jackie thought it was very important to make each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren feel special and was incredibly proud of their successes. She was an avid reader, loved to dance, listen to music, watch movies and to travel with Jim and her family. They enjoyed visiting many beaches along the eastern and southern coast. Jackie, most of all enjoyed family vacations at Ocean City, Md., and Daytona Beach, Fl. Her passion was teaching her students, she was fortunate to have been able to help numerous student teachers. Jackie’s family members will go on to remember, love and feel blessed to have had her as the best part of their lives. Survivors include her son, James Craig Taylor of Monongahela, daughter, Andrea F. Coulson of Mapleview, grandchildren, Ashley T. Coulson (Zach Yocolano) of Mapleview, Sean Taylor of Moon Township, two cherished great-grandchildren, Taylor Lynn Coulson and Jacob Craig Taylor. Two of Jackie’s closest friends include William Watson (Andrea’s companion of many years) and Duane Coulson of Speers Hill, Charleroi. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews including Karen Morgan and daughter, Kaci Biats of St. Augustine, FL, two of Jackie’s favorites, they talked often, she loved them very much. Preceding her in death were her husband, James Taylor, most recently daughter-in-law, Renae Taylor, two brothers, Bruce and Michael Jr. Gesler, and one sister, Margaret Barber. Jackie was the last of her immediate family. At Jackie’s request no public visitation will be held. A private funeral will take place at the convenience of the family with Pastor Doug Conroy, Amedisys Hospice Chaplan. Burial will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 700 Broad Avenue, Belle Vernon. 724-929-5300. www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com. The family suggests contributions in Mrs. Taylor’s memory may be made to Speers Methodist Church, Charleroi, PA 15022. The Taylor family wants to thank the Amedisys Hospice team for their love and care making Jackie’s last few months so comforting and wants the nurses, aids, pastor and counselor to know how much they were needed and she appreciated her “Angel’s on Earth”.

Tributes

Jacqueline E. Taylor

September 12, 1935 - December 28, 2024