95-year-old ready to transfer
her ministry to someone younger By Kathy Elliot
WEST POINT — Yvonne Martin McTaggart turned 95 years old on Tuesday Aug. 21. She celebrated her special day with all of her children around her. McTaggart is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she was a daily communicant until about a year ago, however she still attends Mass regularly. She set up the altar for daily Mass for many years and has been making and sewing new altar cloths, purificators and baptismal garments for many years. She is now looking for someone in the parish to pass this ministry on to.
She was born Aug. 21, 1912, to a French family in St. George, Ill. She was married to Edwin McTaggart in 1931. They survived hardships of the Great Depression, raised 10 children and were married 53 years before he died in 1984.
The couple moved to West Point in 1969 in retirement, and in 1972, she completed the licensed practical nursing program at East Mississippi Community College at the age of 60. She worked as a nurse for 20 years retiring at the age of 80.
McTaggart has always been active in her yard, church and family. She still lives alone, with some assistance from her children and is still able to throw a great Thanksgiving Day feast.
She has 50 grandchildren, more than 100 great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren.
She has survived her husband, one daughter who died at birth, all seven of her brothers and sisters, one daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Her greatest fear is to “out live” her children because she says it’s unnatural. McTaggart knows she is blessed, but her children say they are the ones who are blessed. She is an inspiration to those around her.
turned 95 years old on Tuesday Aug. 21. She celebrated her special day with all of her children around her. McTaggart is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she was a daily communicant until about a year ago, however she still attends Mass regularly. She set up the altar for daily Mass for many years and has been making and sewing new altar cloths, purificators and baptismal garments for many years. She is now looking for someone in the parish to pass this ministry on to. 