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Lillian. Beloved College of Santa Fe professor Lillian Taylor passed away January 31, 2011. Born in Bison, OK on Februry 28, 1933, Taylor was a 1950 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and a 1959 graduate of Sacred Heart College in Wichita. She was a member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ and was originally named Sister M. Theophane Taylor. She later returned to her baptismal name and was known as Sister Lillian Taylor. She taught in various schools in Kansas then began teaching music at Sacred Heart Academy. She taught speech and drama at Sacred Heart College from 1962 to 1969, during which time she earned a master's degree in speech and drama from Marquette University in Milwaukee. In 1970 Lillian Taylor moved to Santa Fe after requesting a dispensation from her vows. In her 33 year career at the College of Santa Fe, she served on every committee ever formed and taught drama, speech, humanities and English. Taylor also taught in several NM correctional facilities. Through her close friendship with actress Greer Garson, Taylor was instrumental in obtaining funding for CSF's Greer Garson Theater where she produced many popular plays and musicals drawing large audiences. She was also a faculty member for the Board of Trusties for CSF and renowned for her authority on Native American literature. A well-respected teacher, Taylor received the Distinguished LaSallian Educator Award in 1989 and became an affiliated member of the Christian Brothers. Affiliation is the highest and rarest honor bestowed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Upon her retirement from CSF in 2002, she received the Beata Netemeyer Award from Newman University for her outstanding service and exemplary teaching. Active in the Santa Fe community for 40 years, Taylor chaired the St. Francis Cathedral Liturgy Commission and was the music minister and choir director. Taylor also served as president of the Pilot International Club and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a woman educator's sorority. Taylor's philanthropy extended to numerous New Mexican Indian schools, nationwide Catholic foundations, several educational/arts funds, and many international humanitarian charities. Lillian Taylor will be remembered as a loving sister, aunt, cousin, colleague, Godmother and friend. Her love of literature, drama and humanities has inspired thousands of students and leaves a legacy beyond measure. A public funeral mass for Ms. Lillian M. Taylor will be held at the St. Francis Cathedral chapel on March 19, 2011, at 1:00 p.m..
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