Geraldine A. Denson
Geraldine “Gerri” Annie Denson, age 74, of Macclenny, FL, went to her Heavenly Home on February 4, 2020, at Macclenny Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Bradenton, FL, on September 11, 1945, to the late Malachi G. Denson and Inez A. White Denson. Gerri was a longtime resident of Ruskin, FL, and relocated to Macclenny in 2008.
She was a proud member of Harvest Ministries Baker Campus, where she enjoyed praising and worshipping her Lord and Savior. Her main passion in life was serving the Lord as she truly loved Him. She was blessed with so many talents from the Lord. Gerri was an amazing musician, artist, teacher, journalist and public speaker. She enjoyed her longtime career as a teacher at Ruskin Elementary School and East Bay High School in Hillsborough County, FL. When Gerri wasn’t teaching her students, she enjoyed playing her 12 string and six string guitars, singing in her gospel group, “The Happy Christians,” making pottery, being creative with crafts, painting, fishing and camping.
Gerri was a very intelligent, creative, loving woman who will always be missed and forever loved by all who knew her. She was a true gift.
Gerri was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Sebrone Denson; sisters, Frances Higgins and Lucille Denson Williams; and brother-in-law, Norris Higgins. Gerri is survived by her brother, Johnnie (Michelle) Denson of Lakeland, FL; sisters: Annette (Billy) Carpenter of Sun City Center, FL, Dee (Mike) Ragan and Linda Denson, both of Macclenny, FL; sister-in-law, Yuda Denson of Colorado Springs, CO; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews whom she loved like her children.
A Celebration of Gerri’s Life will be held on March 21, 2020, at the Church of God Campground in Wimauma, FL, at 3:30 p.m. with Pastors David and Jennifer Ragan officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services, 250 N Lowder St., Macclenny, FL 32063, (904)259-5700. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
Shirley Taylor Eggleton
Shirley Marion Jenner (Taylor) Eggleton passed away peacefully at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving husband, Charles (Chuck) Ramon Eggleton, and several family members in Sun City Center, FL, on December 22, 2019. She was born in Windsor, Ontario, on April 23, 1925, to Frank Delmer Jenner and Marion Gertrude (Lee) Jenner who both predeceased Shirley before she was 13 years old. She was then raised in Canada by her half-sister, Florence (Eva) Jenner Skinner, and Eva’s husband, Jack Skinner. Shirley attended Alma College in Ontario and later worked as an executive secretary at Hiram Walker in Windsor before emigrating to the United States in 1949 as a newlywed with her husband, the late Donald (Bud) Arthur Taylor, Ph.D. During their 57 years of marriage, she and Don travelled the world from Europe to Australia, often visited their youngest son, Michael, in California, and lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, multiple times between 1956 and 1974.
While in Brazil, Shirley learned Portuguese and readily adapted to life in Sao Paulo, even giving birth there to her second son, Stephen. In 1964, she and Don helped a very talented seamstress, Vanda Borges, and her 11-year-old son, Edson, emigrate from Brazil to Holt, Michigan, and become U.S. citizens. Shirley was instrumental in helping Vanda find work and teaching Edson the English language and American customs.
Stateside, as the spouse of the Marketing Department Chair at Michigan State University, she loved to entertain MSU Ph.D. students, professors and friends in their home in Holt and made long-lasting friendships as a result. The Taylors built a cottage up at Spider Lake near Traverse City, Michigan, in 1967 where she enjoyed spending her summers through 2019. In her later years, Spider Lake neighbors John and Kim Rudolph, John and Beth Hoyt, and Bob and Nancy Weaver always gave a helping hand when her family members could not be there.
Shirley loved boating and helped Don plan and build a 30’ trawler, the Summerside II, named after the Canadian Corvette ship Don served on during D-Day in World War II. The boat’s home port was at Elk Rapids, Michigan, from where she and Don would take many short cruises. Shirley and Chuck were able to see the boat arrive back at Elk Rapids this spring after her eldest son, John, had completed “The Great American Loop.”
For over 20 years, Shirley and Don wintered at a condo in Ruskin, FL. After losing their respective spouses, she and Chuck Eggleton met, courted, fell in love, married in 2011, and then resided in Ruskin up until 2016 when they moved to Chuck’s home in Sun City Center. Shirley and Chuck attended church on most Sundays and enjoyed going to concerts and other performances at both Sun City Center and Traverse City. A special moment they shared together in early 2019 was serving as the Flower Gram and Grand Ring-Bearer at their granddaughter Rachael’s wedding.
Shirley loved music, playing the guitar and piano and singing in church choirs. She was a champion backstroke swimmer in her younger years and was still an expert bridge player and a good crossword puzzler. She was active in women’s clubs, gave to several charities and kept in continuous contact with numerous friends worldwide. In 2017, at the age of 92, she travelled alone from Florida to California to see her eldest granddaughter, Lisa, married in Carmel, CA. No effort was too big, and no matter the outcome of her numerous endeavors, she always wanted it known that “She tried.”
In addition to her beloved husband, Chuck, with whom she enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every weeknight, she leaves behind many loved ones: three sons and their spouses — John (Nancy Murrell) Taylor, Ph.D., Stephen (Laurie Balesky) Taylor, and Michael (Lauri Marsalli) Taylor; five stepchildren and their spouses — Ray (Patti) Eggleton, Holly Bowes (fiancé Tom Pritchard), Jennifer (Paul) Moran, Patrick (Dawn) Eggleton, Ph.D., and Amy (Greg) Beightel; eight grandchildren; 15 step grandchildren; and nine great step-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on February 22 at the Sun City Center United Methodist Church, 1210 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, FL, and in Michigan later this spring/summer (date and location TBD). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Donald A. and Shirley M. Taylor Marketing Doctoral Student Support Fund (#A2151) at Michigan State University, University Advancement, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824, Attn: Deb Pintarich.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at www.SunCityCenterFuneralHome.com.
Dan Fletcher
Dan Fletcher, 82, passed away on Feb. 1, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Becky; five children: Danny, John, Debbie, Naomi and Scott; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Margaret Ann Gray
Margaret Ann Gray passed away on Jan. 28, 2020, in Sun City Center. She was born on April 17, 1930, in Huntington, W. VA. She is survived by daughter Katherine Woelfel; son, Brayn Gray; and grandsons Daniel and David Gray. She will be missed by everyone who loved her.
Dorothy May Hill
Dorothy May Hill went to be with the Lord on January 19, 2020, after a brief illness. Her husband, daughter and son were at her side. She was born April 26, 1923, in DE Smet, South Dakota, to Royal and Bertha Russell. She is survived by her husband of nearly 76 years, Ray Hill, of Sun City Center; daughter, Sandra Tams of Sun City Center; son, Gary Hill (Christine) of San Marcos, CA.; grandchildren, Philip Hill (Trisha), Kimberly Anthony (Travis), Kirsten Schleitwiler (Clay), Bradley Tams (Jana) and Brian Hill (Zerrin); great-grandchildren: Jada Tams, Dane Hill, Reagan Tams, Leo Tams, Leyla Hill, Hunter Hill, Ty Anthony and many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was the first woman to join the Marine Corp. in Spokane, WA, in 1943, met Ray at Mojavi Marine Corp. Base where they married in 1944. They raised their family in Ventura, CA. Retiring to near Spokane, WA, where Dorothy grew up, and then moved to Sun City Center, FL in 2002 after many years of motor homing across country.
She was the last surviving sibling of 12 children, keeping track of the next generations-where she will be missed. Her love of God, country and family was very apparent in her daily life. She loved to spend time with her family, sewing, playing pinochle and rooting on the Rays.
We will have a celebration of her life at Aston Gardens, 1311 Aston Gardens Ct., Sun City Center, FL 33573, astongardens.com, Saturday, February 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Life Path Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, FL 33573, or My Warrior’s Place, 101 22nd St. NW, Ruskin, FL 33570.
Eleanor C. L’Ecuyer
Eleanor C. L’Ecuyer, 97, Sun City Center, died February 5, 2020.
Eleanor was born in Boston, MA, to Eleanor Creed L’Ecuyer and Eugene W. L’Ecuyer (both deceased). She was the oldest of three daughters: Eleanor, Vivian (deceased) and Rosalie of Fairbanks, Alaska. As children, they all attended the Girls’ Latin School in Boston, their mother’s alumni. Eleanor was voted president of the Alumnae Association in 1939.
In 1944 Eleanor enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1946. She then attended Suffolk Law University and obtained a Law Degree. After graduation she was given a direct commission in the Coast Guard (the first female to have this distinction) and was put on active duty in Washington, D.C. Eleanor retired in 1975 with the rank of Captain. During her career she was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass and the American Theatre Medal.
One of her greatest accomplishments was to have uniforms designed specifically for women in the Coast Guard. She contacted Edith Head at Universal Studios, and, together, they designed new uniforms. Eleanor was active in Semper Paratus Always Ready (SPARS), an organization for women in the Coast Guard and remained supportive her entire life. She was also very active in the establishment of the Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial at Arlington Cemetery.
When she retired, she moved to Sun City Center, FL, where she became very active in the local community. She started the Kings Point Travel Club, and was also active in the local American Legion, where she served as president in 1988. In 1982 the Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce named her Woman of the Year for her accomplishments in the community.
Eleanor left a legacy for all — never limit your possibilities and always exceed the expectations of others.
A Memorial Service will be held at Sun City Center Funeral Home Thursday, February 13, at 2:30 p.m. and internment will be at Arlington Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Lillian Rubin Solin
Lillian Rubin Solin, 95, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away peacefully at South Bay Hospital in Sun City Center, on February 6, 2020.
Lil was born December 2, 1924, to Hyman Rubin and Blanche (Einbinder) Rubin, in Springfield MA, where she spent her childhood and early adult life. She graduated Commerce High School in Springfield in 1942. She married the love of her life, Robert S. Solin, in 1948, following his service in World War II. They retired from Longmeadow, MA, to Sun City Center in 1992. She was a lifelong member of ORT, a global education network driven by Jewish values. She was a longtime member of the Sinai Temple in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Beth Israel – The Jewish Congregation of Sun City Center.
Lillian is survived by her husband of 71 years, Robert S. Solin; son, Edward M. Solin (Laura), Riverview; grandchildren, Brenton Zillins and Jeffrey Solin; nieces Brenda Canter, Springfield, and Judy Suher, Enfield, Connecticut. Her sister, Rita Glazer, Springfield, predeceased her.
Lillian was a homemaker. She was an active golfer for many years and enjoyed playing weekly mahjong with a special group of friends, when her health allowed. In her earlier life, she worked as an executive secretary to the president of Western New England College and as a teller at the Bank of New England.
A memorial service was officiated by Rabbi Carla Freedman at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb 12, at Beth Israel, 1115 Del Webb Blvd East, Sun City Center. Burial followed at Sarasota National Cemetery at 12:30.
In Lieu of flowers, please remember Lillian through service/gifts to your favorite charity. The family requests that donations be made to RICBAC Foundation, The Foundation for Research in Cell Biology, Cancer and Cardiology, c/o Eric M. Isselbacher, MD, P.O. Box 290088, Charleston, MA 02129-3502, in Lillian’s honor. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
