Mrs. Claire Muriel Proulx Taylor, devoted wife of Ronald Wilson “Ron” Taylor, Sr., passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, May 1, 2024 at the age of 83 in the log home she helped build in Cottageville, South Carolina. Mrs. Taylor was born November 3rd, 1940, in Central Falls, Rhode Island, the daughter of the late Jeanne H. Boucher and Jean Paul Proulx, and was very proud of her French-Canadian heritage, speaking French before learning to speak English. She was a graduate of Cumberland High School in Cumberland, Rhode Island, where she played the saxophone in the orchestra. She would later graduate with honors from Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, Virginia, and was in the first graduating Paralegal class at Trident Technical College in North Charleston, South Carolina. She was employed by the late Arthur Rittenberg as a paralegal and administered the affairs of Mr. and Mrs. Rittenberg long after his retirement and death. Additionally, she was a Guardian Ad Litem acting as an advocate for children in legal proceedings. She was a beloved and devout member of Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, where she was an original member of the women’s club, taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), and sang in the choir. She loved animals, sewing, baking, painting, sketching, gardening, music and was a friend to everyone she met. She is survived by her husband, Ron, of 63 years, her two children, Cathy Smallwood and her husband, John, of Cottageville, South Carolina, and Ronald Wilson “Skip” Taylor Jr. and his wife, Melanie, of Charleston, South Carolina; as well as three grandchildren, Harrison Smallwood, Lauren Taylor and Ethan Smallwood. As the seventh of nine children, she is also survived by her brother, Robert Proulx, of Deltona, Florida, and his wife, Marilyn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Rosary service will be held Monday morning, May 6, 2024 at 10:30 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. The Rite of Committal will take place that afternoon at 2:00, at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice. Parker-Rhoden Funeral home of Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.
