Anything that happened in Shelburne Falls in the past 60 years, Marion Taylor most likely had something to do with it.

The 91-year-old has an extensive list of accomplishments that have contributed to the betterment of the community. She served as president of the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club twice, from 2002 to 2004 and from 1976 to 1978, and has been a member for 50 years. A founding member of the Mary Lyon Foundation, she continued to serve the nonprofit — which supports education in western Franklin County towns — for 30 years. Taylor was also a leader at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne and the Shelburne Grange, served for 18 years on the Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee and was a recipient of the Greenfield Recorder’s Citizen of the Year award.

With all this in mind, the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club held a recent ceremony in Taylor’s honor.

“What you have done has been so amazing and valuable to this community,” Elaine Parmett, past club president, told Taylor at the ceremony. “We owe you a big debt.”

Parmett noted that Taylor never played a passive role in any committee or group. In fact, she always took on the presidency or chair position to make sure things got done.

“She always helped organizations rise to the occasion,” Parmett said.

During her service on multiple town committees, Taylor pushed to reopen Memorial Hall as a space that could be rented by community members, and helped open the Village Information Center to welcome tourists. Her homemade cookies became well-known, being sold at the annual Moonlight Magic celebration. She was also instrumental in planning the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club tag sales, among other fundraisers for various organizations.

While serving leadership roles with the women’s club, Taylor helped create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for the Bridge of Flowers to bolster fundraising efforts. The club converted the Bridge of Flowers from a former trolley bridge in 1929.

“It was an enormous undertaking,” Parmett told Taylor, “and you did it with class.”

State Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, and a representative for Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, were also in attendance to thank Taylor for her service in the community.

“We wish you future good fortune,” Blais said, “and success in all endeavors.”

Reach Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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