Faith Hutchinson Taylor died peacefully at home on Aug. 23, surrounded by her loving family. She was 70 years old and had been living with ALS since early 2025.

A Westport resident for 36 years, Faith moved to Westport from Rowayton in 1989, and wasted no time in getting involved in the community. She joined the board of the Westport Library, and went on to forge relationships with a number of community members.

Earlier in her career, Faith was Director of Development at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and held the same position at Norwalk Hospital. She began her career in Washington DC working to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Later, as her children began to leave the nest, Faith went back to work, first as administrator at the Unitarian Church in Westport, and later in a similar role at Earthplace. Faith also served four years on the Board of Education after holding various PTA leadership roles. She retired in 2020.

Faith grew up in Old Greenwich, the youngest of 5 children. She met her future husband, Teddy Sullivan, at nursery school in Riverside. When Teddy’s mother asked whom he wanted to invite to his 4th birthday party, he mentioned several boys as expected, and then “Faith Taylor from Old Greenwich.” She was the only girl. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in May.

Faith was an intrepid traveler and she imbued her children with that same passion. There were family trips to Europe, and many summer vacations on the coast of Maine. She loved walking trips that she did in France, Italy and Japan. But her passion was being near the water–whether Penobscot Bay in Maine, Squam Lake in New Hampshire or Compo Beach in Westport. Even as her illness began to take its toll Faith could be seen with her walker at Compo, strolling along the sidewalk while her dog Olive cavorted at water’s edge.

Nothing was more important to Faith than being with her family. She felt blessed to have three amazing children and four grandchildren – they were her greatest joy, and always eager to come to Westport to be with their beloved “Birdie,” as Faith was known to them.

Faith is survived by Ted Sullivan, her husband of 45 years, sister Holly Taylor Young, children Theo Sullivan, Annie Sullivan (Devlin) and Jane Sullivan (Culhane), and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Congregation, 10 Lyons Plains Rd., Westport, on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Compassionate Care ALS in Falmouth, Massachusetts and/or Aspetuck Land Trust in Westport.