Mary Priscilla Blassingale Taylor, 83, died in her sleep on Sunday, April 2, 2023 of cardiac arrest at her home in Hamden, CT.
Priscilla, affectionately called “Cill,” was born in Cayce, South Carolina, on March 16, 1940 to her nurturing parents, Alberta Corley Blassingale and Willie David Blassingale.
When Priscilla was two years old, the family relocated to Philadelphia to pursue a better life. Priscilla attended Blankenburg Elementary School, Sulzberger Jr. High School and Dobbins Vocational High School. After graduating from Dobbins in January 1958, Priscilla’s first job was as a clerk typist with the Philadelphia Public Welfare Office. However, she was encouraged to pursue higher education at Morgan State University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. She continued her studies at University of Pennsylvania, receiving her Master of Social Work degree in 1976. She further enhanced her studies at Southern Connecticut University.
Priscilla began her professional career as an executive with the United Way of Greater New Haven. This is also where she met her husband, Dr. Paul B. Taylor, Jr. an esteemed optometrist in the New Haven community. Paul and Priscilla were married on June 6, 1980 and decided to dedicate their lives to being leaders in community service initiatives. Dr. Taylor preceded Priscilla in death in 2009.
Priscilla’s commitment to community service was extensive as were her professional contributions as an executive and administrator in the areas of Human Services, Child Development, Psychiatric Care and Housing Development. She served the following entities in community service: Urban League of Greater New Haven (President, Board of Directors), Girl Scouts of America (Board of Directors), Goodwill Industries and the National Association of Black Social Workers. Her social networks included the Beta Tau Boule (New Haven Chapter), Dobbins Alumni Association and the Morgan State University Alumni Association.
She clearly was a keen businesswoman who not only offered her talent and expertise to the many entities she mentioned, but she was also a real estate entrepreneur who managed and owned several investment properties in the New Haven area for well over 25 years.
Cill had an unforgettably, infectious laugh and was an engaging conversationalist. She enjoyed the theater, shopping, casino trips, entertaining family and friends and traveling stateside and internationally with her late husband, Paul.
Mary Priscilla Blassingale Taylor leaves behind her brother, Marvin Blassingale; nieces, Myranda Blassingale, Meika Blassingale, and Monique Blassingale; great nieces, Maydson Blassingale and Cheyanne Castro; aunt/sister Lillie M. Gibson and a host of relatives and friends.
Following a private service, Priscilla will be buried at the Beaverdale Memorial Park in New Haven, CT next to her husband Dr. Paul B. Taylor, Jr. Gifts and condolences can be forwarded to: Marvin Blassingale, P.O. Box 27322, Phila, PA 19118.