Diane Ferris Taylor, 87, of Redding died of natural causes on September 10. She was a daughter of Florence and Frank Ferris.

Mrs Taylor and her late husband, Melville "Mel" Taylor, raised championship Harlequin Great Danes.  She was president of the Newtown Kennel Club, the Stewards Club of America, and an American Kennel Club delegate for 25 years. She served as a dog show judge and steward for many years. She was a past president of the Great Dane Club of America.

Her sister Lee Kallos of Wilmington, Del., nieces and nephews, and grandnieces survive her.

Mrs Taylor graduated from the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., attended Tufts University, and graduated from the University of Connecticut. She was employed by Price Waterhouse and later Heli-Coil Corporation.

She was a long-term member and served as chairman of the Redding Planning Commission until her death. She was especially proud of having played a part in the approval of the Meadow Ridge Retirement Community.

She and her husband Mel were avid sailors who enjoyed sailing the Caribbean, in both the United States and the British Virgin Islands.

Funeral services will be held at Christ Church, 184 Cross Highway, Redding Ridge, at 2 pm on Friday, October 28, followed by a reception in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mrs Taylor's name to the Great Dane Club of America, c/o Jean Highlands, 10196 Belmeadow Drive, Twinsburg OH 44087, or the Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Road, Redding CT 06896.