Dr. Rhoda Louise Taylor

Rhoda Evans Taylor was born on February 20, 1936, to George Harlowe Evans and Phoebe Joyce Spalding in Upland, Indiana. She became a proud sister to Verne Harlowe Evans shortly after, and the two remained close throughout her life.

She was a woman of science, music, and art-a devoted wife, mother/step-mother, and Oma. Though she often described herself as shy, Rhoda was a warm and compassionate soul who built communities wherever life took her. Her home was always open to family and friends. Her life was a tapestry of learning, creativity, and love.

Breaking the mold of her time, Rhoda earned a Bachelor of Arts from Asbury College, followed by a Master's and Ph.D. from Purdue University. During her studies, she met and married the late William (Bill) Taylor. Together they raised two children, Diane Taylor Morsillo and Richard (Rick) Taylor, whom she loved deeply and supported wholeheartedly. Her pride in her children's accomplishments, and love for their spouses Guy Morsillo and Wendy Taylor, was evident to all who knew her.

Dr. Rhoda E. Taylor's academic achievements laid the foundation for a distinguished career in higher education. She began her teaching journey at Indiana University Kokomo before dedicating 31 years to Slippery Rock University (SRU), where she retired as Professor Emeritus in 1998. During her tenure, she served seven years as Chair of the Biology Department. A proud descendant of a lineage of highly educated women, Rhoda was deeply committed to empowering other women to pursue their education. In 2002, she established the Rhoda E. Taylor Scholarship at SRU to support non-traditional, full-time female undergraduates majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Geology.

Rhoda later remarried Vernon Mayer, her beloved partner, who survives her. Together they shared passions for music-especially Brahms' Rhapsody in G Minor, Op. 79 No. 2-as well as academic pursuits, philately, and travel. Their adventures spanned the globe, from strolling cobblestone streets in Europe, to riding moto-taxi's in Africa, with countless road trips across the U.S. in between.

They created a beautiful blended family, including cherished stepdaughters Katherine Papa (Trepasso), spouse Robert Papa, and Sara Mayer. Rhoda will also be deeply missed by her loving grandchildren: TaylorDaphne (TD) Morsillo, Ansel Morsillo, and Alex Trepasso. Holiday gatherings with this lively extended family were joyously chaotic-a source of endless delight for Rhoda.

Known for her generosity, gentle humor, and love of the arts, Rhoda began a new chapter after retirement as a fiber artist. She was an active member of the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh and a patron of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She loved hosting festive events, notably her holiday sing-along parties with faculty friends from SRU.

In 2015, Rhoda and Vernon moved to Sarasota, Florida, where she found community with the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota. The friendships she cultivated there-and sustained virtually during the pandemic-enriched her life in countless ways. She continued with her fiber artistry and was an active member of the Sarasota Art Center, and Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild.

Our love for Rhoda will live on in the moments we miss her most-in the photos that make us pause, and in the way her voice echoes in our memories like the piano melodies she cherished. A life beautifully lived, and a love that will never end.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota (3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232) on December 8, 2025 at noon (12pm). A zoom option is available here for those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rhoda Evans Taylor Endowed Scholarship at SRU, online at https://sru.edu/give or by mailing a check payable to SRU Foundation, Inc. to: 100 Morrow Way, Suite 100, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.