Wilma Withey Taggart

Wellsville, NY - Wilma Withey Taggart, age 91, formerly of 12 Washington Street passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the Wellsville ManorHills Assisted Living Facility. She was born on August 14, 1923 in Allentown to Ward A. and Rachael Swarthout Withey. On August 4 1945 in Olean she married Bruce V. Taggart who predeceased her on July 14, 2008.

Wilma was a lifelong resident of this area who graduated from Allentown Central High School at the age of 16. She then studied music and graduated from the Chicago School of Music. She frequently sang with local big band ensembles, and orchestras. Wilma served her country during WWII as a draftswoman at Air Preheater and as an airplane spotter in the hills around Allentown. She was a gifted musician who taught piano lessons while she was living in Allentown. Her love of music stayed with her all of her life as she insisted that all of her children learn to play musical instruments. Wilma was a member of the Christian Temple Church in Wellsville where she taught Sunday school and played the piano for the students. Wilma was the assistant to the librarian at the Wellsville Elementary School, and was in both the Washington Elementary School as well as the Early Learning Center.

Wilma and Bruce raised five children in the Wellsville area and were great supporters of music and arts in the school system.

Survivor include her 3 daughters, Cheryl (Joseph) Greenfield of Delhi, Cherese (Hank) Gould of Wellsville and Cherlayne (Frank) Short of Wellsville; a son Bruce V. (Laura) Taggart Jr. of Delmar;9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a sister in law Wilma M. Taggart and a brother in law Earl Jandrew of Allentown.

Wilma was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her daughter Cherie Taggart and her sister Aurelia Jandrew and her brother in law Gordon Taggart.

Friends are invited to attend a service of remembrance on Saturday May 23 at 3 pm in the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville with a reception to follow in Island Park. Memorials in Wilma’s name may be made to either the Manor Hills Activity Department or to the Wellsville Central Schools Music Department. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.