Rhea Taylor

1941 - 2025

Rhea Taylor

Peterborough, NH - Rhea Taylor, 84, of Bennington, NH, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester.

Born April 18, 1941, in Deer Park, OH, to Philip and Catherine (Schroeder) Stapf, Rhea was a kind and generous woman whose faith guided her life. She earned a degree in Physical Therapy from Ohio State University in 1963 and began her career at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, NH.

She married Donald R. Taylor in 1967, and together they built a life in Bennington, raising their family. Rhea worked at Pheasant Wood Nursing Home (late 1970's) and later returned to Crotched Mountain in 1982 until her retirement in 2006. A passionate therapist, she trained in Myofascial Release and founded Hands & Hearts Physical Therapy, which she ran from 2007 until 2011.

Rhea cherished her roles as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved gardening, singing, hiking, time by the ocean, and sharing walks and conversations with friends. Always eager to "stop and smell the flowers," she found joy in life's simple moments. She was active in the Divine Mercy Women's Guild, a book club, and sang with the Monadnock Chorus- a group that brought her great joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Predeceased by her husband, Donald, and brother, Philip Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Annette Taylor, of Bennington, and Annette's daughters Lauren Klemett and Annika Klemett ( partner Aaron Nelson), of Bennington, NH; her son, Frank Taylor, (Fiancé Stephanie Cottrell) of Lee, NH, and his son Bryce Pelletier-Taylor; a step-grandchild Alan Klemett; a devoted grandmother figure to Cavan Giordani and Cayden Giordani; one great-grandson, Jaxson Nelson; and several nieces and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross of NH, National Wildlife Federation, or Special Olympics of NH.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Peterborough, NH. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Bennington.

To share a memory, or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit Rhea's tribute page at www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.