ATTLEBORO , MA – Joan (Kellogg) Taylor, 95, formerly of New Salem, Athol and Greenfield, died on the evening of June 20, 2026 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Attleboro with her daughters at her bedside. Born in Orange, MA on March 7, 1931, she was the eldest child of the late Charles B and Alice (Abbott) Kellogg.
Joan graduated from Orange High School in 1949 and then put herself through Bay Path Junior College, graduating in 1951. On October 25,1953, she married Joseph West Taylor III and they started married life in New Salem, then moved to Orange, then to UMass to live in married student housing (by then with three young kids), then to Holden (welcoming two more kids), to Orange and back to New Salem. The family moved to Billings, Montana for a year, and spent almost every weekend camping and hiking and exploring the west. In 1967 the family returned to New Salem, moving on to Athol and finally Greenfield. Mom often joked that she moved so many times she became an expert packer, and never broke a thing.
Joan worked for several years at Rodney Hunt Machine Company and at Amherst College. While her kids were small, she worked part time driving rural school bus routes, working in shipping at Parachutes Inc., and doing professional typing at home. Before finally retiring at age 70, Joan worked as the secretary at Athol Congregational Church for 17 years. This was her happy place. She loved helping people and being a valued member of the church community.
During the years in New Salem, Joan established a Girl Scout Troop, serving as leader for several years. She served on the New Salem school committee from 1969 to 1972. As a member of Athol Congregational Church, she served on the Deaconate for nine years, and was part of the Stephen Ministry program from 1990-1996. She cherished the friendships she made during her years as an active member of the Athol church.
Joan’s interests included History, especially of the American presidents and first ladies. She enjoyed quilting and stenciling. She learned to be a great cook and in her last years; she especially missed hosting the big holiday dinners and family reunions of her earlier years.
Besides her parents, Joan was predeceased by her husband, Joseph on February 21, 2005 after 52 years of marriage; siblings Charlotte Haigh in 1983, Gwenyth Berry in 2022, and Charles Kellogg, Jr in 2025; and grandson Lee Joseph Libman in 1980.
Survivors include sons Mark Taylor of Denton, MT; Jay Taylor (Dana) of Flower Mound, TX; daughters Leslie Taylor (Nick Plakias) of Shelburne, MA; Lauren Libman (Gary) of Attleboro, MA, and Amy Nielsen (Bruce) of Livermore, CA. Joan leaves eight grandchildren: Meredith, Jonathan and Shana, Zoë, Hilary, Rachel, Paul and Jennifer. She leaves 10 great grands: Cobie, Tatum, Olivia, Emily, Adam, Jude, Vera, Scarlett, Isabel, and Cooper. She also leaves sisters-in-law Carole Kellogg of Topsham, ME, and Nancy Daub of Athol, MA, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living for their superb care of our mother during her last days; as well as the team at HopeHealth hospice care. These professionals were deeply kind and caring. We also sincerely thank our sister, Joan’s daughter Lauren, who managed Mom’s care for the past 7 years.
There will be no calling hours.
A service is planned for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 11:30 am, at Witty’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow in North New Salem Cemetery.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, MA is assisting the family.
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