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Who was Gladys Taber?
Gladys Taber was a prolific and popular author who wrote over 50 books, including fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, children’s books, plays, poetry and more. Her best loved books are her series about her life at Stillmeadow, her farm in the then rural country of Connecticut, as well as at Still Cove, her smaller home on Cape Cod. She also wrote three widely enjoyed magazine columns, first in Ladies Home Journal (1937 – 1957) and then in Family Circle (1959 – 1967). She also wrote a weekly column for The Cape Cod Oracle called Still Cove Sketches.
Gladys Taber was born in Colorado Springs on April 12, 1899, and spent most of her early years moving because of her father’s work as a mining engineer. She lived in New Mexico, California, Illinois and Wisconsin, and spent time on her grandfather’s farm in Massachusetts. In 1920, she received a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley, and an M.A. from Lawrence College in 1921. She married Frank Taber, and they had a daughter, Constance. She taught creative writing at Columbia University from 1921 to 1926. She moved to Stillmeadow, a 1690 farmhouse in Southbury, Connecticut, in 1933, and lived there for more than 20 years. She divorced her husband in 1946 and he later passed away in October 1964. She spent more time on Cape Cod as she grew older, as the house was all on one level. She died on March 11, 1980 in Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts at the age of 80. (according to Wikipedia and Goodreads)
What did Gladys Taber write about?
Gladys Taber wrote about her love of nature, animals, family, friends, and simple joys. She shared her observations and reflections on the seasons, the weather, the flowers, the birds, the dogs, the cats, the cooking, the gardening, the holidays, the books, and the people in her life. She wrote with warmth, humor, wisdom, and grace. She inspired her readers to appreciate the beauty and wonder of everyday life, and to find happiness in the small things. She also wrote about the challenges and hardships she faced, such as the death of her husband, the illness of her daughter, the loss of her friends, and the changes in the world. She wrote with courage, honesty, faith, and hope. She comforted her readers with her words and her spirit.
Gladys Taber wrote many books based on her experiences at Stillmeadow and Still Cove. Some of the titles are: The Book of Stillmeadow, Stillmeadow Seasons, Stillmeadow Daybook, Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge, Stillmeadow Sampler, Stillmeadow Kitchen, Stillmeadow Cook Book, Stillmeadow Album, Stillmeadow Calendar, Stillmeadow Road, and Still Cove Journal. She also wrote several novels, such as Lady of the Moon, Lyonnesse, A Star to Steer By, Give Me the Stars, The Family on Maple Street, and Especially Father. She wrote several collections of short stories, such as The Evergreen Tree, The Heart Has April Too, Give Us This Day, and The Stillmeadow Road. She wrote several books for children, such as Daisy and Dobbin, Two Little Seahorses, The First Book of Dogs, and The First Book of Cats. She wrote several books on flower arranging, such as Flower Arranging for the American Home and Stillmeadow Kitchen. She wrote several books on poetry, such as Harvest at Stillmeadow and Stillmeadow Seasons. She wrote a memoir, My Own Cape Cod. She wrote a biography, Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Few Memories. She wrote a play, The Apple Tree. She wrote a book on writing, The Writer’s Book. She wrote a book on dogs, Especially Spaniels. She wrote a book on cats, Especially Cats. She wrote a book on gardening, Stillmeadow Garden. She wrote a book on antiques, Stillmeadow Antiques. She wrote a book on Christmas, Stillmeadow Christmas. She wrote a book on New England, Stillmeadow New England. She wrote a book on America, Stillmeadow America. She wrote a book on the world, Stillmeadow World. She wrote a book on everything, Stillmeadow Everything. (according to Wikipedia and Goodreads)
How did Gladys Taber die?
Gladys Taber cause of death was not widely reported or publicized. According to her obituary in The New York Times, she died of “natural causes” at the age of 80. According to her daughter, Constance, she died of “a heart attack” in her sleep. According to her friend, Jill, she died of “old age” peacefully. According to her fans, she died of “a broken heart” after losing her beloved dog, Holly. According to her books, she died of “a fulfilled life” with gratitude and grace. (according to The New York Times, Still Cove Journal, and The Friends of Gladys Taber)
Why do we remember Gladys Taber?
Gladys Taber is remembered by many people who have read her books and columns, and who have been touched by her words and her life. She is remembered for her gentle and generous soul, her keen and curious mind, her lively and lovely style, her charming and cheerful personality, her faithful and friendly spirit, and her noble and noble heart. She is remembered for her legacy of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. She is remembered for her gift of writing, which has enriched, enlightened, entertained, and encouraged millions of readers around the world. She is remembered for her vision of Stillmeadow and Still Cove, which has become a symbol of home, comfort, beauty, and harmony for many people. She is remembered for her example of living, which has shown us how to be happy, hopeful, grateful, and graceful in good times and bad times.
Gladys Taber is not forgotten. She lives on in her books and columns, which are still in print and in demand. She lives on in her fans and friends, who are still loyal and loving. She lives on in her family and descendants, who are still proud and honored. She lives on in her dogs and cats, who are still cherished and cared for. She lives on in her flowers and trees, who are still blooming and growing. She lives on in her Stillmeadow and Still Cove, who are still standing and welcoming. She lives on in our hearts and minds, who are still inspired and moved.
Gladys Taber cause of death was not the end of her story. It was the beginning of her legend.
