Remembering Taylor

Taylor Elaine Summey was born on October 15, 1985 in Asheville, North Carolina to David and Margaret Summey. Growing up in nearby Arden, Taylor attended T.C. Roberson High School along with her close-knit group of childhood friends, before receiving her degree from UNC-Chapel Hill where she’d meet her eventual husband, Jesse.

A proud Tar Heel, Taylor began her professional career at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. She worked there for more than seven years, even following her January 2014 diagnosis with peritoneal cancer, a form of ovarian cancer. For much of her battle, Taylor was assigned to the oncology floor, talking with patients with whom she shared a common bond.

She received treatment at both the Levine Cancer Institute and Duke Cancer Center, before passing away in November 2016. But Taylor never let her cancer define her. Rather, she approached each day with unparalleled strength, remarkable resilience and a bravery that was fierce and unrelenting.

She loved spending her time with those she loved, like her parents Margaret and David, her husband Jesse, her dog Cali, and her supportive circle of friends and colleagues. She was easy going, patient, and always comfortable in her own skin. Her favorite things included going to the dog park with Cali, spending an afternoon at the brewery with friends, and trying new restaurants. She was admired by those who encountered her.