Marion Taylor Draper, born on July 31, 1918 in Rowayton, CT to Beatrice Dewaters & Joseph R. Taylor passed away on Sunday morning, August 24th, 2014, due to a brief illness with her daughter at her bedside. She was married for 38 years to Charles (Bud) F. Draper, 1915-1989. She was preceded in death by her daughter Beatrice Clare Schnackel and is survived by Marianne Draper Lilliedahl, wife of John Lilliedahl and her beloved grandchildren, Craig Draper and Karin Maureen Lilliedahl. Additionally, she is survived by three step grandchildren, Kathryn DeCoste, Kelly Hayes, John Andrew Lilliedahl and eight great grandchildren. Marion attended the Thomas School for grades 1-12 and then went on to graduate from Smith College in 1939 with a degree in Sociology, but she often joked that she got a Bachelors in Bridge. She spent the next five years by Bud's side as an army wife during World War II, following the war she stayed at home with the girls until she and Bud purchased Lighthouse Liquors in Rowayton in 1958. They owned & operated the store until 1967 when they circumnavigated the US for the better part of a year. Marion worked for 25 years in banking, retiring from Westport Bank & Trust in 2003 at the tender age of 85. Upon retirement, she was an active volunteer with 10 years of service to the Norwalk Hospital Women's Board at the Treasure House. She was a 50 year member of St. Luke's Episcopal Parish in Darien and was one of a dozen chosen to needlepoint the altar kneelers. She was a master knitter and thoroughly enjoyed dining out at the local restaurants. Those that had the pleasure of knowing Marion, know that she had an impact on every person she had contact with. Whether it was the cashier at her morning breakfast shop, her weekly hairdresser or someone she passed in the grocery store, Marion was always pleasant and eager for a chat. She was a magnificent and unforgettable lady. Although in her later years, Marion moved to Norwalk, she never lost her Rowayton roots. Because she was such a proud Rowaytonite, her family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Rowayton Historical Society. Friends may greet the family on Saturday August 30, 2014 from 9:30 to 11:00 AM in Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street. Interment will follow in Rowayton Union Cemetery.
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