Nancy S. Taylor

Nancy S. Taylor, of West Boxford, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on 7 February, at age 80. Born in Gloversville, NY, 7 April 1945, Nancy graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1967, and the University of New Hampshire in 1972, with a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in microbiology, respectively. She spent 3 years in the Department of Microbiology at the University College of Wales, Abertstwyth, UK; 2 years at the Naval Medical Institute in Bethesda, MD; held positions in Boston at the VA Hospital, Jamaica Plain and Tufts University; and 31 years in the Department of Comparative Medicine at MIT where she was Director of Research. Among many accomplishments in her career, she discovered and characterized the lethal factors (toxins) from three pathogenic bacteria, advancing treatments for the diseases caused by those bacteria. Nancy was a volunteer in a number of organizations in Boxford, including the Cub Scouts; a co-founder of a music scholarship program for Boxford students; a member of the School Committee; and a Deacon in the Second Congregational Church, West Boxford. She also was a volunteer at the New England Conservatory, Boston, where she was a co-founder of a parents' group supporting the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble. Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Richard (Dick) of 58 years, her daughter and son-in-law, Alyssa and Chris McLean, her son Jason, and her grandchildren Eleanor, Elijah and Isabelle.

A memorial service and reception will be held for Nancy at the Second Congregational Church in West Boxford, in March, at a date to be announced on the Church website at www.secondchurchboxford.org . Arrangements are by the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes, Bradford~Haverhill.

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