Obituary: Mary Jane Frances Taxter Of Yorktown Heights

YORKTOWN, NY — Mary Jane Frances Taxter, also known as MJ, long-time resident of Yorktown Heights, passed away at the age of 79 on Sunday, May 10, 2020 (Mother’s Day), while surrounded by loved ones. Mary Jane endured a long, courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Paul R. Taxter, along with their four beloved children: Cheryl Haight and spouse Richard Haight, Paul S. Taxter and spouse Maria Taxter, John Taxter, and Karen Bulzacchelli and spouse Joseph Bulzacchelli, grandchildren: Krystal D’Atria and spouse Domenico D’Atria, Stephanie Haight, Nicole Bulzacchelli, Jessica Bulzacchelli, and Sarah Taxter, her sister, Catherine M. Hula, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister, Vivian Stern.

Mary Jane was born in 1941, to John and Egline Hula in Sleepy Hollow. In 1959, she graduated from Our Lady of Victory Academy. In 1962, she graduated from St. Frances School of Nursing in Poughkeepsie, and also married Paul Taxter, in September of the same year.

After graduating from St. Frances Nursing School, she started her nursing career at Phelps Memorial Hospital. Soon after, she started her 35-year career as a Registered Nurse at Northern Westchester Hospital, where she became the sixth floor head nurse, as well as a Certified Diabetes Educator. Mary Jane, along with a colleague, originated and received accreditation for the Center for Diabetes at the hospital. Throughout her career, Mary Jane was always regarded as a successful and highly respected Registered Nurse. After retiring from Northern Westchester Hospital, Mary Jane continued helping others as a pediatric nurse in a local doctor’s office.

In 2016, on her 75th birthday, Mary Jane found out that she had ovarian cancer. She connected with the Support Connection, Inc., which provides emotional and social support to women affected by breast and ovarian cancer. She was involved with some of their group programs, as well as peer support. She loved being engaged with people. When Mary Jane was asked to be a Support-a-Walk Ambassador in 2018, she happily accepted.

Mary Jane loved to travel and was involved in a plethora of creative organizations. She was an accomplished writer, poet, and gardener. She will always be remembered and cherished for her generous heart, beautiful smile, compassion for animals and her contagious laugh. She had a heart of gold and was always there to lend a helping hand. Most of all, Mary Jane absolutely loved spending time with her family; her husband, children, and grandchildren were truly the center of her world. Above all else, Mary Jane will be most remembered as an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and loyal friend to many.

Due to the pandemic, there will be a Celebration of Life to honor Mary Jane at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Support Connection, Inc., 40 Triangle Center, Suite 100, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.

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