Rose Perrin Taylor was born in Lander, Wyoming on February 11, 1916 to Agatha Hartman and Wilbur Rexford Perrin. She passed away on January 3, 2013. She attended Riverton Wyoming public schools and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She received an A.B. degree in 1937. In 1958 she received an MSW from the University of Denver.
She spent a lifetime in social work. She was employed at the Dodge Community House in Detroit, The Detroit Welfare Department, and became the first Child Welfare Worker in Fremont County, Wyoming. She continued her career as a child welfare worker in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The last 16 years of her career she worked in San Mateo, California’s Health and Welfare Department, the last 10 of those years as a Federal Day Care Director. Her concluding contribution was as a founder of the Child Care Council of San Mateo County. After retirement in 1974 she lived at the Sea Ranch for 20 years, moving to Marin County in 1994.
She was a resident of the Redwoods in Mill Valley for 17 years and active in the Redwood’s community. She particularly enjoyed working in the organic garden. She was a member of the Community Church of Mill Valley, the Outdoor Art Club of Mill Valley, Seniors for Peace, a life member of the American Association of University Women, and the National Association of Social Work.
She is remembered for her lifelong commitment to the community, social justice, the environment, and a healthy life style. Her retirement years provided the opportunity to enjoy and develop new skills in painting and writing. She produced many painting of the Sea Ranch area and published 2 memoirs, the second completed a month before her death.
She was deeply committed to her family and many friends. She is survived by two daughters Mary Kugland of Palo Alto, Carolyn McElhany and husband Bob of Weimar, CA, three grandsons, Nathan Kugland and wife Bettina of Oakland, CA, Tristan McElhany and wife Olivia of Sparks, NV, Paul McElhany and wife Jennifer of Rocklin, CA, great granddaughter Evelyn Grace McElhany of Sparks, NV, two nieces Patricia Perrin and Gerry Perrin of Santa Fe, NM, and nephew Kwan Perrin and his wife Kim of Germantown, Maryland.
Memorial contributions can be made to 4Cs (Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County, Inc.), the Redwoods in Mill Valley, the Eldercare Alliance, Rejoice Ministries Christian Church in Oakland, or a charity of your choice.
