Obituary of Mary "Sugar" Taylor

 Mary "Sugar" Margaret Schwartz Taylor was born on December 18, 1941, in Covington, Kentucky, and died peacefully with her children by her side at St. Elizabeth Hospice center in Edgewood, Kentucky, on April 3, from complications from cancer.

She is survived by her son George (Carol Ann), daughter Christine (Scott), six grandsons, George II, Joseph, Dominic, Vincent, Brandon and Ethan, brother Larry (Nancy) Schwartz, sister Sadie (Ed) Schultz and countless friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph, parents Leo and Sadie Schwartz, brothers Bob, James, Howard, Carl, Leroy, Gerald, John, Sisters Mary Ann Pryatel (Robert), Rose Rolfsen (Robert), Patricia Jean Cousin, Vera and Teresia.

Growing up in a large family – in a small, three-bedroom house on Baker Street in Covington, Kentucky – shaped Mary’s conviction to live simply, humbly and without pretense. She never subscribed to cable or WiFi and never owned a cell phone.  Her father, who was deployed in the Navy when she was born, nicknamed her “Sugar” – a name that stuck into adulthood because of her sweet disposition. 

She married Joseph Taylor on January 11, 1966. When Joe passed away in 1994 at age 54, Mary carried on with faith and positive energy, serving as a constant source of support and encouragement for her children, grandchildren and her many friends. 

Mary spent more than 20 years working in the cafeteria at Beechgrove Elementary School and enjoyed when – even many years after her retirement – her former students would recognize her as “the lunch lady.” 

Mary was well known in Independence. Before the pandemic, she was a fixture at Saturday evening mass at St. Cecilia Church. She enjoyed attending the local parades, church festivals and Christmas walk. Until a month before her passing, she also regularly hung out with friends at the Independence Senior Center, where she played penny poker and bingo over pot-luck lunches. She also took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM. to 12:00 PM. on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at St. Cecilia Church 5313 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051, with 12 :00 PM. Catholic mass and burial immediately following. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Cecilia Church, c/o Father Harry Settle, 5313 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051, or St. Elizabeth Foundation, c/o Hospice Programs, 1 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017. To leave and online condolence for the family or to share a fond memory of Mary, please visit www.chambersandgrubbs.com.