Obituary of Constance Mary Tayler

Born in 1941 in Haverford West, Wales, to Gladys and Percy Britton, Constance would for the next 79 years leave an impression on everyone she met; the biggest of which having been on her husband of 62 years Godfrey and their 3 children; Estelle (Kevin) Andersen, Yvette (Scott) Nelson and Guy (Angela) Tayler.

Her Grandchildren Courtney & Sarah, Vaughn & Loni, Ben & Isaiah & Allan & Malcolm & Sam & Charlotte & James, will carry on reciting her silly songs and many lessons learned that only our Nana could teach.  “One fine day, in the middle of the night”, “Two little dickie-birds sitting on a wall”, “Pee po belly bum drawers” to name a few.

Connie met the love of her life at the bus stop on Honor Oak Park where Goff asked her, "Do you know who I am?" Yes she said, let's carry on."  A love began and even the Vicar Dalton who married them said the church was the fullest he had ever seen it! Half came because Connie was getting married and the other half came because they couldn't believe she was marrying Goff!

Crossing the pond in 1965 with two little girls was not easy, but she quickly adapted to her new Canadian life and secured life-long friendships that to this day remain part of “our family”.

She was full of witty humour which often showed in her many double entendres?  It was what made her so fun to be around and made it easy for her to attract so many to her. Her kitchen and then her beauty salon were always bustling and she thrived in the atmosphere.  Many still tell stories of their first perm or haircut done by Connie!

She was also President of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary Branch #196 of Evansburg and had many funny stories to share of that as well!

When her health took her out of the hairdressing trade she became “Nana” to a lot more than just her own offspring and seeing her with a loaded car from Grandview Elementary was not a strange sight!  (She did continue to do some hairdressing but just for a select few on the hill who we affectionately named “The Blue Hair Gang”!)

It wasn’t until she was 64 that she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis a fatal genetic disease that her grandson Vaughn also has.  She took it all in stride and you could often hear her saying, “My looks don’t pity me!”  She became the “missing link” for the doctors and so would have liked her younger sister Jan (still in England) to have benefitted from the good treatment she received. Alas, that was not to be as she was predeceased by Janice on January 18, 2015.

Her love of her homeland remained due mainly to her complete infatuation with the Royal Family. Mum’s royal collectables were her pride and joy and she was thrilled that her granddaughter’s appreciated her gifting of them. We were all raised with table manners befitting royalty as the stern threat of, “What would you do if you were dining with the Queen?” was used often! Those manners did in fact come in handy when Loni moved to England and her nephew Haig was able to take Loni under his wing and show her the posh ways! She thoroughly enjoyed his visit here to see her and then any video chats they had after.

Her last few years were unfortunately spent in and out of hospitals but even there she managed to make friends and win over all the staff she came in contact with!

One of the hardest things for Mum to do was to slow down! This lady was the living embodiment of the gift of hospitality and was always quick to, "Let me get you a little something." Regardless of how she was feeling, she'd be the one doing her best to make everyone else feel welcome and served, even over protests!

Most will remember Connie as a dedicated, loyal wife, mother, Aunty and Nana.

Others, though will remember her as a fiercely brave and an amazing entrepreneur who was never afraid to take a chance!

From Mum's birth date to her day of death can't even begin to encompass all the life that this lady had and the love she gave, nurtured and received.

Thanks for all the lessons Mum and just think……”This time last year!”

A memorial service will be held at a later date and when permitted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be  forwarded to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, 2323 Yonge Street, Suite 800, Toronto ON, M4P 2C9; or online at here.

Condolences to Connie’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net.

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral and Cremation Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944