Obituary of Mildred Adamson Taylor

Mildred “Maggie” Adamson Taylor, mother, grandmother, small business woman, and friend to many, died peacefully on Christmas Day, 2021. She was 92. Born in New Haven, CT to Italian immigrant parents Alessandro and Mary Grace Geremia in January 1929, she was the youngest and only girl among three beloved noisy brothers (all predeceased) Michael, Francis, and John. A resident of Old Lyme then Lyme, CT since 1960. When Maggie found herself a divorced mother at age 39 it was time to get to work to provide for her five children then aged 4 to 17. She continued to work for the next 35 years in clothing retail, factory assembly lines, fine art framing, and, very briefly, pipe fitting. During these years, by necessity, Maggie would clothes shop at discount stores, such as Bradlees, where she had a knack for finding that one fashionable item in the store, buying it in multiple colors, and accessorizing with a carefully chosen scarf or pin. She was nearly always the best dressed Mom in town. It was while working as a receptionist at R. R. Donnelley that she met Douglas Taylor. They were married in 1983. She opened her heart to a new extended family. She adored Jeff Taylor and wife Maura, grandchildren Katie and Margaret, and finally six great grandchildren. Doug helped Maggie achieve her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, opening coffeehouse Seashell Cafe in Old Saybrook in 1984, way ahead of the expresso drink curve, and later running the Chocolate Shell sweet shop in Old Lyme. Her dear Doug died in 1992. Many years after retirement, at age 83, she took a sales-cashier job at Pier One Imports for “something to do”. Maggie was a homebody and a traveler, an avid reader, movie-goer, and home decorator. She loved hosting friends for spirited games of mexican-train. Maggie was a bottomless fount of Motherly love, wisdom, encouragement, and favorite comfort foods. Her family asks all who knew this remarkable woman to keep her in their prayers. She is survived by her five Adamson children, daughters Maren, Dagny (Liz Lewis), Brooke (Philip Schaller), and sons John (Cathy Hall) and Stuart. Also best-loved cousin Paula Idarola. Her greatest joy in her later years were grandchildren Alex and Siena. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 2PM at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme located on the corner of Lyme Street and Ferry Road in the village of Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local SPCA animal rescue or your favorite charity. To share a memory of Maggie or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.