CAMBRIDGE — The St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities has named Stephanie Taylor of Cambridge “Irish Mother of the Year” for its Grand Parade XXXVIII.
“A nominee should be involved in family, church, and community, have a good sense of humor and demonstrate pride in her Irish ancestry,” according to a news release from the St. Patrick Society.
Stephanie attended elementary school at St. Malachy Parish in Geneseo, graduated from Geneseo High School, received a bachelor’s degree in theater from Dominican University and is a graduate of the Institute of Therapeutic Massage.
She began Irish dance as a youth and continues today with the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance, where she teaches a class in Bishop Hill.
Her three children Irish dance as well, play Irish fiddle and tin whistle, and her oldest is beginning to learn the uilleann pipes, the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland.
Stephanie is active in her community, serving as a board member for the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, running Cambridge’s Youth Soccer League and hosting concerts with her husband, many of which feature Celtic acts. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist and has owned and operated Hand Taylored Massage since 2010.
The Grand Parade XXXVIII, the nation’s only bi-state St. Patrick’s Grand Parade, will take place Saturday, March 16. The day will begin with mass at St. Mary’s, 2204 Fourth Ave., Rock Island, at 10 a.m. The parade will start at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Fourth Avenue and 23rd Street in Rock Island and then travel through downtown Rock Island, across the Mississippi River via the Talbot/Centennial Bridge to West Third Street in Davenport and proceed east through downtown Davenport to the RiverCenter at East Third and Perry streets.
The Post-Parade Bash will take place at the RiverCenter from 1-4 p.m.
