Shirley J. Taylor "Squirrel"

Shirley J. Taylor aka “Squirrel” passed away at her home on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the age of 75. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Reilly; sister, Carol Prudhomme; numerous nieces and nephews; special friend, Debbie DeJean (James); and her beloved dog Tasha. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Clark W. Taylor; her parents, Edward and Dorothy Dvorak; her sisters, Kathleen Randall and Peggy Chiappetta; and her brother, Eddie Dvorak. Born in Ohio, she lived with her family in Belize for a few years before moving to New Orleans in the early 1960s . A proud graduate of Warren Easton High School, she moved to Baton Rouge in the early 1970s, where she met Clark. While raising Jeffrey and countless dachshunds, she assisted Clark with the operation and management of his real estate development business. In time she moved into the real estate business herself and acquired a hotel in Belize which she managed for a number of years. Squirrel never met a slot machine that she didn’t like, and trips to Las Vegas were among her favorite memories. She had a spark and a zest for life that endeared her to many. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the ASPCA or another organization focused on animal welfare, or to a charity associated with the fight against breast cancer. Shirley’s family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Vicki Bourgeois, who cared for her with tireless dedication for the last several months. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com