Louise Murphy Taylor, 84

REHOBOTH BEACH - Louise Murphy Taylor passed away at her beach house in Rehoboth Beachon Saturday, June 14, 2008. She died very unexpectedly of natural causes. She was 84 years youthful.

Louise, affectionately called "Murph" and later "Weezie," was born March 17, 1924, in Harrington, daughter of Charles D. Murphy Sr. and Elva (Bennett) Murphy. Her father, who died in 1928, was a renowned businessman and politician. Louise attended Hanamore Academy and Penn Hall boarding schools and graduated in 1946 from Connecticut College with a degree in English. In 1929 she met and married F. Martin Taylor, a Wilmington businessman. They raised three children while residing in Wilmington and spending summers in Rehoboth Beach. Louise received a master's in education from the University of Delaware in 1970.

Louise's connection to people, particularly her family, was the driving force in her life. With the energy, will and spunk of 10 people, she was the ultimate devoted wife, mother and grandmother, the energetic matrix of her family and a wide group of friends. Weezie knew how to put love into action. Until her last breath, with phenomenal energy and love, she drew them to her and traveled the globe to love and to support them. Louise was a 21st century woman born in the 1920s, a maverick who transcended social conformity and attracted a cross-generational group of friends. She had an outspoken passion for liberal politics and causes. (If you love Weezie, vote for Barack!) Louise surrounded herself with beauty; she was a superb cook, entertainer and gardener. Weezie's candor and humor, zest for life and a good time, deep compassion, her love so freely given was a gift to all, a gift that never quit. She is profoundly missed.

In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband Martin, her brothers James G. Smith Jr., formerly of Dover, and Charles D. Murphy Jr., formerly of Milford, and her sister, Diane Leland, formerly of San Francisco.

She is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, G. Bennett and Barbara Taylor of Key West, Fla., and Frank M. Taylor Jr. of Guatemala; a daughter Elisabeth Holmgren of Anchorage, Alaska; and four grandchildren, Kyle Elizabeth Taylor of Gainesville, Fla., Taylor Hauk Evenson of Anchorage, Julia Brown Taylor of Key West, and Raquel Louise Holmgren of Anchorage.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to All Saints' Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or the Polycystic Kidney Foundation, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 400, Kansas City, MO 64114-3367.

Please come all family and friends that she loved so dearly to a celebration of her life at 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 24 at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., in Rehoboth Beach. Afterwards we urge you to join us for a party worthy of this joyous woman. Bring your dancing shoes!

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.