MARION TAYLOR

TAYLOR--Marion (Riki) Richardson, on February 10, 2010, beloved wife of the late author and diplomat, Ambassador Henry J. Taylor. An international artist, philanthropist and lifelong Republican, Riki was surrounded by a wide and diverse circle of friends. A conservative in political matters, she was a vanguard in her artistic work and advocacy. Her own artworks are in private collections and corporate headquarters, with several of her paintings part of the permanent collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Collection. Serving on the Advisory Board of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy, she was active during their European expansion and beyond, and was an active member of many other institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art, The Frick Collection and Whitney Museum of American Art. Her charitable efforts and event chairmanships included the American Cancer Society, Women's National Republican Club, American-Swiss Association, American-Scottish Foundation, Manhattan Institute, Friends of Art and Preservation in Embassies, and many others. Her dinner parties were legendary, and attracted the political, diplomatic, creative and intellectual communities. A member of the Council of American Ambassadors, Riki was an advocate for and supporter of our foreign embassies as both positive and beneficial links to the international community. She will be sadly missed by her sister, Penny Borda, cousins Pegeen and Milton Snoeyenbos, and many friends. Funeral service Sunday, 2:30pm at Frank E. Campbell, Madison Ave. at 81st St., NYC. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, 1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128, or to the Manhattan Institute, 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017.