Our loved one, Sheila F. Taylor-Flamm, of New Haven entered into eternal rest on December 24, 2012.
Sheila, devoted, loving and beloved wife of Attorney Brett C. Flamm, died at home, as she wanted, surrounded by loved ones. “Binky” is also the much loved and cherished sister of Frederick M. Taylor, Jr. of North Haven, CT and Karl R. Taylor of Albuquerque, New Mexico and the devoted and loved “Auntie Sheila” of Sharon L. Taylor, of East Haven, CT.
Daughter of the late Frederick M. Taylor, Sr. and Ona M. Taylor of North Haven, Sheila was born in New Haven, CT on August 6, 1953 and spent many happy years in New Haven until she moved with her family to North Haven.
Sheila was predeceased by her infant sister, Carol.
A woman of extraordinary dedication to her family and friends, Sheila went all out in everything she did. She was the exchange student from North Haven High School to France where she became fluent in French. She graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and taught autistic children. In the late ‘70s she worked at The Hartford Insurance Company as a Work Measurement Analyst, for which she traveled and lived in several cities around the U.S., of which she loved Chicago the most, except in the winter. Eventually she arrived at Southern New England Telephone, at which she applied her creativity and skills in various areas, including in Marketing, where she helped design training programs, in Engineering, where she wrote methods and procedures as well as in Human Resources, as a Telecommunications Specialist and as a Manager of Sales Compensation. She also designed systems and methods for billing training programs. Her thirty-two year career spanned the transitions to SBC and AT&T. She retired in 2010 after her diagnosis of breast cancer, which she fought through for two and a half years, during which time she continued to make and plan parties and travel, even in the midst of torturous treatments.
Sheila was a trained pastry chef and started her specialty cake business, Luscious Moments, in which she provided celebratory cakes for caterers and for private occasions, including for NBC at the World Trade Center Boast Basin. She traveled to England and around the U.S. to learn not only pastry and baking, but also her own incredibly detailed and original cake designs and decorating.
Sheila’s creativity knew few, if any, boundaries, and she continuously amazed family, friends and customers not only with her cakes but also with hand sewn table cloths and other items to fit special occasions. She was a creator of unique beauty as well as an appreciator of it, as demonstrated by her collection of art and art objects, especially those of Native American and African origin. She loved and made beauty, including her playing of the cello; and she appreciated many forms of music, which accounts for her extensive and incredibly varied music collection.
Sheila was devoted to children and was “Auntie Sheila” to many of her niece Sharon’s friends. She taught the Efficacy Program in the New Haven Public Schools and developed and taught a Social and Business Etiquette Program for Girls Friendly Society of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, which culminated in a formal five course dinner.
She had been a Long Wharf Rats Board member, a member of Alliance Francais, a member of the New Haven Symphony Anniversary Celebration, New Haven Film Council as well as numerous women’s business associations.
She loved travel and went to France, Spain, Scotland, England the Caribbean (especially Jamaica, her mother’s homeland) and throughout the U.S. She appreciated and loved the cultures and foods of other countries.
But Sheila had a smile, glow, love and joie de vivre that set the world aglow. She was as devoted a family member and friend as is possible and delighted in the successes of those she knew and loved. Her family considered her to be the force that held the family together.
Requiem Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 9:00 A.M. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 111 Whalley Ave., New Haven. Viewing and visitation will be held at the church from 8:00-9:00 A.M. and Friday from 6:00-8:30 P.M. at Curvin K. Council Funeral Home, 128 Dwight St., New Haven. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Online guestbook available at www.curvinkcouncil.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Smilow Cancer Center, Department of Complimentary Services, Development Office, 2 Howe St. #326, New Haven, CT 06510.
