Romaine Douglas Taylor, 85, died June 25, 2017 in Lawrence. A private burial has been conducted in the green section of Oak Hill Cemetery.
Romaine was born January 20, 1932 to Murl E. Douglas and M. Christina (Pelton) Douglas in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was a near lifelong resident of Lawrence and earned her Bachelor’s degree and her PhD from the University of Kansas.
Romaine was a beloved first grade teacher devoted to her students, and taught for many years at Pinckney and Quail Run Elementary Schools. When she retired from the classroom she supervised student teachers at Baker University. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Romaine was active in the community, serving as a volunteer for the Friends of the Lawrence Public Library, serving meals at LINK, and volunteering at The Salvation Army. She also supported The Animal Shelter and adopted several rescue poodles. Romaine enjoyed traveling, reading, and gardening.
Romaine was married to James Bennett on December 21, 1952. They divorced in 1977. She married Robert Taylor on August 28, 1978 in Valley Falls.
Survivors include her daughter, Claire and husband, David Oxtoby of Claremont, CA; three grandchildren, Mary Christina Szafraniec and husband John of Chicago, IL, John Oxtoby of Chicago, IL, and Laura Oxtoby of Fairbanks, AK; one sister Marian Mead (Bill) of St. Joseph, MO; a niece, Lea Ann Peetz (Lonnie) of St. Joseph, MO, and a nephew, Doug Mead (Barb) and their two children, Alex and Lauren Mead of Overland Park, KS; a stepson, Kent Taylor of Lawrence, KS, a stepdaughter, Susan Grier of Chula Vista, CA; five step grandchildren and one step great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 19th at the Eldridge Hotel in Lawrence.
The family suggests memorials to Friends of the Lawrence Public Library, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. Lawrence, KS 66044.
Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
Romaine was the first in line of the 1’st cousins on my mother’s side of my family. I was near the other end. When I was young I didn’t really know Romaine and her sister Marian because of the age difference. As an adult I got to spend some time with her. When I was an adult she was a woman I could aspire to be and also like a friend. I knew she was a wonderful teacher because she was someone who took pride in all that she did. We shared memories of our family which will always be treasured. I remember how special it was when she would stop by our farm after she visited Aunt Carrie and Uncle Bud. I didn’t want her to leave.
To her family-please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Romaine was my colleague and friend at Pinckney School for many years. It takes a special person to be a first grade teacher! Romaine was soft spoken, patient, kind, loving, yet firm and had a good sense of humor. She motivated everyone to achieve to the best of their ability. Her legacy will be the hundreds of children who got off to a good start by having Mrs. Taylor as a first grade teacher. She will be missed.