Melanie Mae Manard Taylor's Obituary
Melanie Mae Manard Taylor passed away on Friday, November 2, 2018 in Mandeville, LA. She was born on September 21, 1943 in New Orleans, as the eldest child and only daughter to the late Robert Lynn Manard, Jr. and Marguerite Casteix Manard.
Residing in Kenner, Melanie attended grammar school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and graduated from East Jefferson High School before attending LSU. In high school, she was a cheerleader, elected Homecoming Queen and was also Miss East Jefferson.
After starting her family in Kenner, she relocated to Dubai with three children and her former husband for his work. While there, she taught physical education at the American School and coordinated sports activities for Americans throughout the United Arab Emirates. She also joyfully led her children through many countries and unique experiences.
After eight years, she returned to the states and settled in Mandeville where she became active at Our Lady of the Lake Parish where she worked for a period of time.
Soon thereafter, Melanie initiated a new career in the real estate business. After success as an agent, she took on the responsibilities of Managing Broker for several large agencies. She retired after 30 years in the real estate industry. She was dearly loved by the agents she supervised.
Melanie was active in civic and community affairs and spent a great deal of time serving her industry on many committees, The Board of Realtors and was named Realtor of the Year in St. Tammany Parish.
Melanie believed in being an ambassador of Christ and making the world a better place. She loved beyond measure, and especially loved to host parties for family and friends. She is remembered as fun-loving “Grandma Nee” to a blended family that included 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Melanie was married to her beloved and devoted husband, John Arrington Taylor, Jr., for 21 years. Melanie is survived by the following members of her loving family: daughter, Erin Sullivan Fleming along with grandchildren William Joseph Jr. and Mary Marguerite Fleming; son and daughter-in-law, Scott Keith Sullivan, Jr. and Michele Cooper, along with granddaughters Alexis Love and Elle Marie Sullivan; daughter and son-in-law Colleen Sullivan Sands and Glenn L. Sands, along with grandchildren Abigail Madeline, Sydney Susan, Melanie Hanna and Slade Sullivan Sands; her brother and sister-in-law Robert Lynn Manard III and Brenda Bohrer Manard as well as nephew Robert Lynn Manard, IV and nieces Wendy Elise and Maryclaire Tenell. She is also survived by a number of extended family members who dearly loved her.
The family would like to thank the staff of Beau Provence and Passages Hospice for the care they provided in her final months and days.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Memorial Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 316 Lafitte St, Mandeville, LA 70448 on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 11:30 AM with visitation from 10:30 AM until Mass time. Interment will follow the service at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, St. Benedict, LA. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be offered to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001.
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