Written on: July 1, 2020
Sister Virginia Taylor, GNSH, (formerly Sister Anne Virginia), age 90, died on June 29, 2020 in her 73rd year of religious life.
For twenty years, until 2005 Sister Virginia served as a Nurse Practitioner in the Erie County Health Department bringing healthcare and support to homebound patients throughout Erie County, NY.
Prior to joining the Health Department, Sister served for a short time at the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Health Center, Irving, NY.Over the years from 1967 until 1984, Sister Virginia was also an Instructor at D’Youville College, School of Nursing. In addition, in her early nursing career, Sister had been an operating room Supervisor at AB Hepburn Hospital and Champlain Valley Hospital.
In 1963 Sister Virginia volunteered to serve as a Nurse Clinician in Lima, Peru at St. Norbert’s Parish. Sister returned to the United States in 1967 but after earning an MSN/Nursing Education, went back to Peru in 1972 to work in the Callao barriadas for an additional two years.
Later Sister served as a Nurse in the Medical Hospital of Pennsylvania. In 1980, maintaining her missionary spirit, Sister Virginia became a Nurse Practitioner at Mary Breckenridge Hospital, Kentucky Nursing Frontier Service, in Hyden, KY. Prior to her long and varied nursing career Sister taught primary grades at Blessed Sacrament, Jackson Heights (1950-51), NY and Immaculate Conception, Lowell (1951-53), MA.
Sister Virginia earned a BS/Education and a BSN/RN from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Her MSN/Nursing Education was granted by Indiana University and her Geriatric Adult Nurse Practitioner degree from Miami University. Sister held nursing licenses in New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Florida, as well as Peru, SA.
Sister’s awards included the Pi Lambda Theta, Sigma Theta Tau, Mayor of Miami Certificate of Merit and Key Council in Higher Education Certificate of Merit. Publications included articles in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Journal of Gerontological Nursing; Nursing; and Supervisor Nurse.
Born in Buffalo, NY to Stephen F and Virginia Devereaux Taylor on December 17, 1929, Sister is survived by her religious congregation, which she joined in 1947 after graduation from Holy Angels Academy. Sister is predeceased by her parents and sister, Shirley Darrell.
Due to recent events, a memorial service will be held for Sr. Virginia at a later date. Interment will take place privately on Monday, July 6.
Donations in memory of Sister Virginia Taylor’s life of prayer and service will be gratefully received. Donations may be made on line here, or by mail to: Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 14500 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116-1188. We are grateful for your prayers and support.
Arrangements by Beck-Givnish Funeral Home
In many ways Virginia was a free spirit – but what a courageous free spirit. While I was aware of some of her ministries, I was unaware of others. She was certainly a provider of God’s care to many persons during her years as a Grey Nun. Thank you and God bless you in an eternal embrace Virginia.
In 1963. I recall Sr Virginia making a very hard decision to turn away a Peruvian Indian woman’s request for help with her baby. The baby was dying of a terrible case of measles. Virginia said the child would die by morning and if she took the baby into her care, it would frighten other Indian mothers from seeking her care. I can close my eyes and still see that baby and the heartache in Virginia’s eyes. But it was the right decision; probably one of many she had to make over the years. She was one very tough lady.
My goodness, she must have collected some stories in her travels. What courage!
What a lovely woman of God and a true giver to the poor! Her smile and goodness will last forever in our Universe.
What a life!
Inspiring!
RIP!