February 26, 1937 - May 19, 2020
It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Maureen Taylor (Maureen) announce her peaceful passing on Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Maureen was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the 26th February, 1937. She was predeceased by her parents Norman and Norah Gow, youngest son Gareth Lineen who died in a tragic rowing accident on Elk Lake, and her son-in-law Robert LeNoury. She is survived by her husband of 30 years Don Taylor, her children Peter Lineen (Tsering) Jono Lineen (Trish) and Katrina LeNoury. Stepmother to Christine Taylor (Chris), Jennifer Taylor, and Lesley Ballman (Derek) and grandmother to 14 beautiful grandchildren, including 1 great-grandchild.
After the Belfast Blitz in 1942 demolished two houses directly across the street from her family's home she went to live with her grandparents in Donaghadee, County Down. When the bombing was over Maureen returned to Belfast and her parents. She took the bus every day to a private school - Belfast Royal Academy - where she completed two years of prep school and six years of high school. One of the highlights of her younger years was to be recognized as one of the outstanding Girl Guides in Great Britain. In 1953 she, along with 49 other girls, were awarded a week in London to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth and a further six week trip to Canada.
It was in the late fifties, during a time of peace and hope in Northern Ireland, that she met Aylmer Lineen and they were married in 1960.
They had four children who Maureen essentially parented single-handedly while Aylmer was working on the oil tankers. The situation in Northern Ireland deteriorated drastically during the late 60's and the family emigrated to Canada in 1974. For eighteen months they lived in Richmond where Maureen went back to work, first in retail and then as a real estate agent. The family then moved to the Comox Valley in 1975 - the place that became home. Maureen went back to the books and qualified as a real estate appraiser. She worked for some time in private practise and then for BC Assessment. Word would have it that she broke the glass ceiling as the first female appraiser in the Courtenay Assessment Office.
Maureen was a keen golfer and was a member of the Comox Golf Club for 45 years. She served on the Board of Directors and during her term as President she was instrumental in construction of the new clubhouse. She was also a member of Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria and as Vice President she championed the implementation of gender equality within the club. Bridge was another passion of Maureen's. On any given Tuesday or Friday evening she could be found at D'Esterre House with her bridge partner Phyllis Taylor.
A mother, wife, daughter and great friend to so many. She will always be remembered as a shining example of how to gracefully live a good life. She made the most of every day with positive energy, love and wisdom
A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.