MANCHESTER — Taylor Danielle Lessard was a loving daughter, sister, cousin, niece, goddaughter, granddaughter, and friend who was tragically taken from this life far too soon.
Taylor was born in Manchester on April 3, 1988 and was a lifelong resident of the city. She had recently worked seasonally in Lincoln, NH, and had moved back to Manchester to begin a new job and complete her degree.
Taylor was a 2006 graduate of Trinity High School and had attended Keene State College and Southern New Hampshire University. She was a champion gymnast who loved competing, but even more so, loved teaching young enthusiasts the art of the sport.
Taylor was an artist, working in charcoals, pencils, and paints. T, as she was affectionately referred to by friends and family, was an outdoors enthusiast who enjoyed every aspect of living. On any given weekend you could find Taylor hiking, snowshoeing, surfing, fishing, or, of course, saving any errant spider that had found its way into her home. She had an unparalleled respect for all living things.
Taylor will be remembered for her incredible sense of humor, her unrelenting enthusiasm for life, and her free spirit. Taylor was loved by all who had the honor of meeting her. T s young life had so much unrealized potential that was tragically cut short by a senseless act of violence.
Taylor is survived by her mother Joni Labbe Castrogiovanni and father Nick Castrogiovanni of Manchester and father Michael Lessard of Easton; brother Nicholas Castrogiovanni, brother Patrick Castrogiovanni and his wife Kayla Castrogiovanni, nephew, Anthony Castrogiovanni; brother Dustin Bello; maternal grandmother Joan Sherman Jenkins; paternal grandparents Al and Evelyn Lessard; great grandmother Helen Auclair; great aunt Judy Lessard and great uncle Richard Lessard; great aunts Dr. Linda Norton and Mrs. Carol Hermes; aunts and uncles Resa Lundkvist, Kim and Michael Griswold, Danny and Diane Lessard, Donna Lessard and Daron Theriault, Marianne and Dennis Hart, Linda and Scott Cullen; cousins Chelsea Moreau, Lynsey Turrill, Shaylan Griswold, Ryan Lessard, Sarah Nalen, Shanna Bassett, Ryan, Erika, Aaron Cullen, Jennifer and Brian DeCampo, Dennis Hart; great-uncle, “Flash” Lionel Labbe; her boyfriend of three years, Dan Mankiewicz; her lifelong BFF Teresa Horn; and her beloved dogs Chip and Buster.
SERVICES: Calling hours are Thursday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, Manchester. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral Chapel, Lowell Street entrance, Manchester.
Donations in Taylor s memory may be made to the Manchester Animal Shelter at http://www.manchesteranimalshelter.org.
