Nelle Horsley Taylor, 88, of Bethel, formerly of Auburn, Ala., and Newtown, died peacefully, August 30. She joyfully celebrated her birthday with family and friends just a week before her death.  She was born August 16, 1925, in West Point, Ga., the daughter of Joseph Clifton and Nelle Williams Horsley, and grew up in Opelika, Ala.

Her son, Fredrick J. Taylor, and wife Kaki, of Newtown; brother, Robert F. Horsley of Roma, Ga.; sister-in-law Joyce A. Horsley of Nashville, Tenn.; grandsons Drew Taylor, and his wife Katie, and Matt Taylor, and his wife Amy, all of Newtown; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins survive Mrs Taylor. In addition to her husband of 58 years, Bruce S. Taylor, and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard Bruce Taylor; and her brother Joseph S. Horsley.

She married the love of her life on April 7, 1945. They lived in Grand Ledge, Mich., for 35 years, where they raised their son. She and her husband were active in the Republican Party. She retired from the Michigan Legislature after 15 years of employment with the House of Representatives. She was the secretary to the Michigan Speaker of the House. 

The Taylors retired to Florida, where they could be found laughing and playing with their grandsons. She was known not as “Grandmother” but “Grandbutter.” She kept her family very close to her heart.

Mrs Taylor spend a brief time in Connecticut after the death of her beloved husband in 2003, then resided in Auburn, Ala., for some time until she permanently moved back to Connecticut.

She was very vibrant and active. In her spare time, you could find her serving as an aerobics instructor, spending time as an elder and clerk of session of Hope Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven, Fla., and as an active member of the First United Methodist Church and Women’s club in Opelika, Ala. She was seven-time Women’s Club Champion at Grand Ledge (Mich.) Country Club.

A family memorial service took place Sunday, September 1, at St Rose Parish, in Newtown. A public memorial wake will take place Thursday, September 5, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, from 4 to 7 pm. A graveside service will be conducted at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery, Grand Ledge.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs Taylor requested memorial contributions sent to a charity of one’s choice.