H 7828

2026 -- H 7828
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LC005903
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  HOUSE RESOLUTION
   EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE
  HELEN STASIA TAYLOR
  Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, McNamara,
  Solomon, Shanley, Bennett, Kennedy, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith
  Date Introduced: February 26, 2026
  Referred To: House read and passed
1WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of the
2 Honorable Helen Stasia Taylor, a former Warwick City Councilwoman and dedicated public
3 servant. She was the loving mother of Sheri H. Conley and her husband, Peter, and Kelly Taylor
4 and her husband, Jason Oliver. She was also the beloved partner of the late, Leo W. Garrity, who
5 was the love of her life and with whom she shared fifty-one years of devoted companionship prior
6 to his passing in 2024; and
7WHEREAS, Born in the City of Providence, Helen was the oldest of two daughters born
8 to the late Earl J. and Stasia H. Martin, and the sister of the late Irene Engley. Her family brought
9 her great joy and was always her most important cause. In addition to her beloved children, she
10 will be sorely missed by her cherished grandchildren, Taylor and Brandon Conley, and her
11 nephews, Charles “Chuck” Engley and David Engley, who she thought more of as sons; and
12WHEREAS, A proud graduate of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and the
13 University of Rhode Island, Helen’s poise and talent led her to model for Seventeen Magazine, an
14 experience that later inspired her leadership in organizing the Miss West Bay and Miss Rhode
15 Island Pageants; and
16WHEREAS, An entrepreneur throughout her life, Helen founded and operated numerous
17 successful businesses across Rhode Island, including Pizza Villa, Forget-Me-Not Flower Shoppe,
18 The Pink Tulip, Weddings Made in Heaven, and Lily’s + Lace, the latter of which received the
19 “Proud Business Award” from Keep Providence Beautiful in 1991. She also established Tropical
1 Interiors, providing interior landscape and design services to businesses throughout the State,
2 most notably transforming the Warwick Mall with her seasonal and holiday designs; and
3WHEREAS, Deeply committed to civic life, Helen served on numerous boards, including
4 the Rhode Island Historical Society, Keep Providence Beautiful, and the Rhode Island Heart
5 Association, where she organized fundraisers and served as auction chair for the Heart Ball; and
6WHEREAS, Among her many pioneering accomplishments, Helen was one of the first
7 women elected to the Providence Rotary Club and went on to become the first female President
8 of the Providence Sunrise Rotary Club. She was also an active member and later President of the
9 West Bay chapter of the League of Women Voters; and
10WHEREAS, Inspired by her lifelong interest in public affairs, Helen served with
11 distinction as a Warwick City Councilwoman from 2003 through 2010, during which time she
12 undertook a study of the environmental and public health impacts of emissions from T. F. Green
13 Airport on surrounding neighborhoods and businesses; and
14WHEREAS, Her dedication to civic engagement extended beyond local office, as she
15 served as an honorary campaign manager for Congressman Eddie Beard and, in 2012, was elected
16 as a statewide delegate representing Rhode Island at the Democratic National Convention in
17 Charlotte, North Carolina, where she had the opportunity to meet several well-known leaders; and
18WHEREAS, Despite her many professional and civic accomplishments, Helen’s greatest
19 pride and deepest joy were found in her family, for whom she was a fierce advocate, steadfast
20 supporter, and constant source of love and encouragement; now, therefore be it
21RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
22 expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Honorable Helen Stasia Taylor
23 and honors her legacy of public service, entrepreneurship, and unwavering devotion to her family
24 and community; and be it further
25RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
26 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Sheri Conley, Kelly Taylor and Family.
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