Karen Laura (Nicotera) Taylor, 60, of Dameron, MD passed away peacefully on November 29, 2008 in Washington Hospital Center with her family by her side.

Born August 5, 1948 in Tokoma Park, MD, she was the daughter of the late Peter Nicotera and Dorothy (Sandman) Nicotera.

Karen graduated from Great Mills High School in 1967. She married her childhood sweetheart, Herman "Woody" Taylor on April 8, 1967 in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ridge, MD. She was a loving, dedicated wife and mother. She was a tax preparer for thirty years. She has been the owner of the H&R Block, Lexington Park, MD branch since 1991. Karen enjoyed weekend drives with her late husband, girls day out with her daughter, watching mystery/detective shows, and Sunday family dinners. Most of all, she enjoyed giving her time and love to her family and friends.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Laurie A. Quade (Tim), and son, Brian S. Taylor, both of Dameron, MD, siblings; Gayle Pickeral (Jim) of Leonardtown, MD, James Nicotera (Michelle) of Fairfax, VA, Joyce Nicotera of Granby, CT and Sherry Johns of Sauquoit, NY, sister in law, Mary Lou Troutman (Jeff) of Ridge, MD, aunt, Nathalia (Cella) Crosby of St. Inigoes, MD, nieces and nephews; Linda, Jeannine, Daniel N., Kevin, Christopher, Daniel B., Joey, Rachel, Andy and Shannon. In addition to her husband and parents, Karen was preceded in death by her stepfather, Francis "Ski" Zawadski, and mother and father in law, Elwood and Thelma "Tillie" Taylor.

Family will receive friends for Karen's Life Celebration on Sunday, December 7, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Monsignor Maurice O'Connell, pastor of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ridge, MD will officiate. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or Susan G. Komen For the Cure, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.