Caroline Taylor Craig

We are sharing the obituary for Caroline Taylor Craig as a courtesy to the Taylor Family.

Caroline Taylor Craig, after a global journey beginning in Wadesboro, NC, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2023.  Born to Inez and Patrick Taylor on May 9, 1931, Caroline, at the age of four declared her calling as a concert pianist.  She devoted her life and nourished us all with her music, curiosity, and conversation.

Taking the concert stage at nine, she was launched into a life of sharing her extraordinary heart, soul, and talent.  The scrapbook her daddy kept highlighted her love of music, performance, and benevolence.  At age 12, she performed with the North Carolina Symphony.  Accepted as a private student of Dr. Carl Friedberg and Madame Lhevinne at The Julliard School, just shy of her twenty-third birthday, she made her debut at Town Hall in New York City with one reviewer asserting she played “with utmost delicacy.”

After a chance meeting at the Parnassus Club, Caroline met her husband, Thomas Craig, who took her on a journey across the globe through India, Europe, and Africa.  Her music mentor, Dr. Homer Smith, cried when she chose to leave for India to start a new life of family.  Despite the challenges of raising five children, born on four different continents, Caroline continued to perform, teach, and musically elevate the lives of people all over the world.  Caroline co-founded the New Delhi Symphony Orchestra with General Chaudry of India and performed as a regular guest artist on All-India Radio.

The family’s glorious life abroad ended in the early 1970s with roots firmly planted in Caroline’s cherished Wichita.  Her life was full of solid friends and family who endured her proclivity to ask one more question.  She continued to be forever overwhelmingly generous with her time, talents and treasures.  Caroline was a guest artist for the Wichita Symphony in 1975.  She was a member of local music organizations, taught piano to all ages emphasizing technique and perfection, and accompanied young artists and accomplished musicians.

Caroline was never at a loss for a conversation.  We are forever grateful to all the good folks, including Harry Hynes Hospice, that continued to visit her at Covenant Care Senior Living, her home across the lake from the family house, where friendship, love, and compassionate care enriched her life.

Caroline is survived by three of her children with Tom, David Craig (Shirley Casner) of New Mexico, Ted Craig of Alaska, and Jane De Giacomo (Rich) of Texas. Surviving her are also nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her former husband, Thomas Craig, and two of their daughters, Patricia Haley and infant Peggy.  Meeting her in Heaven are also her parents and her two brothers, Hoyt Patrick Taylor, Jr. and Frank Wooten Taylor.

Family and friends are invited to join us on May 5, 2023, at 2 pm at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary to honor Caroline.  Over the summer, we will again gather in fellowship to celebrate Caroline in her favorite place, her home in Springdale.

Now is the time for her to tickle the ivories and share her gift of music for all of Heaven.