Florence Ann Taylor

Florence Taylor Camarillo, CA Flo Taylor, 77, passed away quietly Saturday, April 23, 2011 with her husband by her side surrounded by the love of her family. Born Florence Ann Zirul on July 19,1933, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Edward and Dorothy Zirul, Flo is survived by her husband,Robert Steven Taylor; her daughter, Linda Rae Connet (husband Keith T. Mathis); son Michael D.Connet; grandchildren Jason Michael Connet,Ryan Taylor Connet, Jackie Lynn Connet (fiance Joshua Evans), Robert Joseph Connet and Judson Michael Mathis; 3 great grandchildren and another one on the way. Flo was preceded in death by her eldest son Marc Edward Connet; both her parents and an extended network of aunts and uncles. Born during the depression and faced with the divorce of her parents, Flo starting working at the young age of 12 and lived much of her childhood on her own but under the watchful eyes of her extended family of aunts and uncles in Michigan and Wisconsin. At the age of 19 she hitch-hiked to California where she met and married Paul Richard Connet, producing three children from that marriage before it ended in divorce. Throughout her life, Flo took on a variety of careers and was always successful She was a Merchant Teller and Vault Teller for Bank of America, a Sales Supervisor for Diawa Sporting Goods, and a Real Estate Salesperson.She was also an entrepreneur, owning several small businesses. In 1973, Flo met the man who was to become her best friend and the love of her life,Robert S. Taylor. They were married on May 25, 1974 in Westchester, California and lived together in a wonderfully loving marriage for 37 years. Upon retirement, Flo and Bob moved to Camarillo, California in 1990 and together they worked tirelessly in service to their community,the Camarillo Springs Country Club Village. Flo and Bob co-chaired the Social Committee for 3 years. Flo then served her community as President of the Homeowners Association for 5 years and as Chair of the Architectural Committee and Exterior Committee for 4 years. Flo was an avid golfer and together with her husband, Bob, they Co-chaired the Camarillo Spring Golf course's Marshall program for 4 years. While community service was the face she showed to the world at large, her greatest joy was the love of her family. Having struggled with the lack of a cohesive early family life, Flo made sure that her children and grandchildren always knew they were loved, valued and of the highest priority in her life. She was the glue that held her family together, no matter what she taught her children and grandchildren well, so they can continue her legacy. Flo's early life situation did not allow for much formal education, nevertheless, she was a remarkably self educated woman who delighted in learning, reading, taking classes and traveling the world. During her life, Flo traveled extensively, visiting the Mediterranean, Italy,Egypt, Israel, Istanbul, Lisbon, Budapest, Prague, Cypress, England, Austria, France, Spain, Mexico and Canada. She always said "Say everything with conviction and people will believe you." She was true to her own teachings. Anyone who knew her, knew where she stood. And anyone she loved, was left with no doubt that he or she was truly and deeply loved. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Flo Taylor will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at the United Methodist Church at 291 Anacapa Dr., Camarillo.