Jean M. (Gannon) Taylor

Jean M. (Gannon) Taylor, 86, of Spencer, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield, MA. She leaves behind her husband Richard L. Taylor of Spencer who she was married to for 66 memorable years.

Jean led a wonderful life. She and her husband Richard built a beautiful home 60 years ago and spent much time outside in their yard and flower gardens and she was forever decorating the interior whether for a holiday or a season. She was a collector of many things, and her home was graced with teacups, teapots, pretty dishes, glass baskets and magical creatures such as gnomes and fairies as well as anything else that caught her attention.

She and Richard were antique car owners and enthusiasts and were always driving the cars on trips to nowhere, car club events, parades and long Sunday drives to get an ice cream or “coffee and”.

Jean was also an artist of arts and crafts; she crocheted, sewed, quilted, made dolls; especially Raggedy Ann & Andy. She really loved painting miniatures and was excellent at sceneries of sail boats, barns and farms and used those talents on the canvas of eggs, especially goose eggs and many other crafts.

Baking was a daily love of hers. The family would wake to homemade breakfast items, come home from school to homemade cookies and there was always apple crisp or some kind of delicious cake in the evenings.  No family gathering went without a dessert she made and her cake decorating brought many wedding cakes to the many nieces and nephews who married in the 70’s and 80’s. Her talents were endless as was the love of her family. 

Jean became a telephone operator which she loved for New England Telephone after graduating from Commerce High School in Worcester in 1957. After she married and had her children, she again joined the workforce for 30 plus years working as a receptionist and switchboard operator at Anna Maria College, in Paxton, the former Chess King manufacturer in Worcester and The St. Francis Home.  She was known for her smile, her warm greetings to co-workers and visitors and her positive attitude.  She loved working and being the first person one saw when they opened the door to these establishments.

She taught catechism as a devout member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church now known as Mary, Queen of the Rosary Church in Spencer and was a secretary for several terms with the Central MA Antique Auto Club.

Jean is survived by her loving family including her son Richard A. Taylor of Sturbridge and daughters Laurel Blair and her husband Michael of Worcester, Martha Ryzewski and her husband Timothy of Spencer, Jennifer Hudson and husband William of Derry, New Hampshire and Heather Budano and husband Joseph of Spencer. She leaves  a brother Laurence Gannon of Shrewsbury and his wife Patricia; sister, Laurel Johnson and her husband Alfred of Worcester; eight grandchildren, Kate Derrick of Boston, Thomas Derrick of North Brookfield, Ashley Ryzewski and her partner Armand Geoffiron of Spencer, Sarah Ryzewski of Southwick and her husband Christopher, Abigail Ryzewski Grasso  wife of Brian Grasso,  Aidan Blair of Vancouver, WA, Brennan Blair and his fiancé Sierra Williams of Eden, VT, Camden Blair and his wife Hayley Blair of Raleigh, NC, and Zachari Budano of Spencer, MA as well as eight great grandchildren; Kaylee, Summer, Armand, Ronan, Maeve, Lacey, Simon and Elle.

Born in Worcester to James J. and Elsie G. Gannon she is also predeceased by her brother James H. Gannon and sisters Mary Gleason, Adele Sullivan, Ann Nelson, and Elsie Geraldine Murphy.

The Taylor family wishes to thank the administration and nursing and activity staff of Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield for their incredible care, concern and love for Jean.  She arrived like a lion and left knowing she was loved and adored and respected. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Activity Department at Quaboag so that the activity staff can continue on their journey of making other residents’ days busy and bright, 47 East Main St, West Brookfield, MA 01585  (quaboagonthecommon.com/activities).

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Mary, Queen of the Rosary Church, 46 Maple St, Spencer.  Calling hours are Friday, January 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester.  Burial will be private in Pine Grove Cemetery, Spencer.