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Claudette Houle Taylor Obituary May 15, 2026 A beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend, Claudette Taylor, 88, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026 at the Boonespring Skilled Nursing Facility in Union, KY, where she bravely fought Alzheimer’s disease for the past several years.
Claudette Houle was born in 1937 in Woonsocket, RI, the only child of Orine (Maurice) and Edgar Houle. Claudette attended St. Xavier high school and Roger Williams Hospital Nursing School, both in Providence, RI, where she earned a degree in nursing and worked after graduation.
The boy next door, Walter Taylor, became her husband when they married in April 1960 and moved into her father’s house in Pawtucket, RI. Claudette gave birth to three children, Dan in 1961; Rick in 1963; and Dave in 1965. The family relocated several times due to Walt’s corporate career, first to Chelmsford, MA, in 1968. In 1970 the family moved to Westborough, MA, thrusting Claudette into roles of house buyer, seller, mover, and decorator while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood.
She re-entered the workforce as an industrial nurse at Bay State Abrasives. When the family moved to Bethel, CT in 1975, she supported her boys through high school while her husband commuted to New York City and joined the Bethel Medical Group as an RN. In 1982, the family moved to Youngstown, OH, where Claudette got a job as a nurse at a group home for youth transitioning from foster care. After two years, Walt’s career took the family to Cincinnati, OH, where Claudette worked as a nurse at a doctor’s office, then taught at a medical technology school, and later as a clinical trials nurse at Future Healthcare. For eight years she set solid roots and made many good friends, as well as nurturing her dear father before he died there in 1990. In 1992 there was one last move to Dallas, TX, where she got a job as a clinical nurse at Hill Top Pharmaceuticals. Claudette retired in 1997 with Walt following in 1999. They soon moved to Rotonda West, FL to enjoy warm winters, palm trees, and ocean life. She was active in The Red Hat Society and served as the event chair for Neighborhood Watch.
She treasured the week of July 4th each year when her sons and their families would visit and she could play on the beach with her grandchildren. Claudette is remembered as an excellent cook, tasteful decorator, graceful host, and a frugal money manager. More importantly, she was a caring, loving, and dedicated wife and mother, advocating education, decency, and imploring her boys to do the right thing even when no one is looking.
While never blessed with a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, or even a great-granddaughter, she treasured her relationships with her three daughters-in-law and her women friends and relatives.
She is survived by Walter, her husband of 66 years, who lovingly supported her as her health declined; her sons Dan, Rick, and Dave; her daughters-in-law Nora, Mandy, and Dianna; her grandchildren Aleks, Chris, Nick (Whitney), and Jake; her great-grandsons Graham and Tripp; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Family and friends meant everything to Claudette, and she leaves each of you with a kind smile and a loving touch.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11:00AM THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI.
Visitation will take place prior to the service from 9:00AM-11:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Claudette Taylor to The Alzheimer's Association. Contributions can be made securely online at https://www.alz.org/
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