Vicki Taylor

Funeral Services & interment will be held privately for Vicki Taylor, who died on Monday, June 14^th at the Kaplan Family Hospice of Danvers, following a long illness, she was 94 years old.

Vicki was born to Enrico & Mary (DiFucci) Lorio in Long Island, New York. She was raised & educated in Astoria, Long Island & she was an alumna of Astoria High School. Vicki was a young woman who had beauty, talent, wit & humor. She wanted to work in show business and her passion led her to travel the show business circuit. Vicki could sing & dance, but it was with her husband Roy Douglas’ training & guidance, that she became one of the very few female ventriloquists. Vicki toured with her husband and she eventually went on her own with “Ronnie”. Her show became known as Vicki Taylor & Ronnie. Vicki toured all over Europe & throughout the United States. She played in Las Vegas and The Palace on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. She played variety shows, night clubs, banquets and many other events. Vicki would open for many A-list celebrities and became friends with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Baby Rosemarie, Jimmy Durante, Tottie Fields, Rosemary Clooney, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Milton Berle, Pat Cooper, Mel Torme’, Frankie Laine; just to name a few. Vicki was also very good friends with George Clarke, formerly of the Boston Globe, he often reported on her & her shows. One of the fascinating standouts about Vicki was being labeled as one of the few who could do the “Double Voice” and she was known as the very finest. During this time, Vicki was raising her son Ronald L. Douglas. Vicki took her son on the road often. Her son also rubbed elbows with these celebrities. Vicki had dozens of photos with her son being held by Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme’, and many of the others. Vicki continued her long career, where she lived aboard a cruise ship for over 5 years. Vicki settled in Revere in 1990s & resided at Friendly Garden on Revere St.  She continued to perform at senior events up until she was 87 years old. She was a woman who set out at a young age to be in show business and she found her niche and she was one of the very best and well renowned for almost 70 years. She would always close a show saying, “I’d like to retire, but Ronnie won’t let me”.

She is the loving & cherished mother of Ronald J. Douglas. Dear sister of Salvatore Lorio & wife Jean, Thomasina Mancuso & John Lorio, all of Long Island, NY & the late Carmela Yederlinick & Josephine Brogan. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, friends & fans. Vicki was a late longtime member of A.G.V.A. (Actors Guild of Ventriloquist Association). Her beloved ventriloquist doll & partner “Ronnie” is now owned by a private collector, along with many others made by creator John Carroll.

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