Essay: Taylor DeLuca Remembered

Taylor Deluca was a beautiful, cheerful, free-spirited young woman. She was kind to her friends, admiring of her parents, and she loved her brothers dearly. She was famous around town for her bubbly disposition and radiant smile. If you were to see Taylor and simply say “Hi,” her response would be a huge bright smile and, usually, a giggle. Her friends were drawn to her positivity, exuberance, and sense of humor. She was just at the beginning of her life, trying to find her place in the world, when she was tragically killed in a car accident early Sunday morning.

I have known Taylor’s family since she was a young child. Along with so many others in the community, my children grew up with Taylor and her siblings. They attended the same schools, played on the same sports teams, and spent many summer months up all night, “sleeping” over each others houses. My daughter, Delia, shared several birthday parties with Taylor, as they were born only three days apart. This meant the “birthday season” would usually culminate in a well planned extravaganza every May. Delia recently spoke of Taylor as a friend with whom she had never had even the slightest of disagreements; a friend who was always happy to see you.

Although Taylor could appear sweet and a little shy, she was a tenacious athlete with tremendous talent, who should never be underestimated. A few years ago, my daughter and Taylor were on a recreational basketball team that won the 2009 TAP Girls Championship. In speaking with the coach of that team one day, my husband and I mentioned how we loved watching Taylor on the court. She was so adept with the ball. He said: “Taylor is the team.” That summed it up. The thing is, though, Taylor never looked for any glory or credit. She was truly a team player and always exalted the work of her teammates. She got joy out of making others feel valuable, and she never asked anything in return.

It is so important that we help the DeLucas through this extremely difficult period in their lives. As anyone who knows Taylor or her family would attest, they are truly the ones who are there for everyone else, no matter what their need may be. Please pray for the family and remember Taylor for the joyous life she lived, and appreciate the many gifts she has given to us, including her warmth, compassion, and infectious beaming smile. Celebrate Taylor’s life, and remember the special moments you shared with her. I know I will.

Shelia Harrington