“She could say the most hilarious things with a straight face,” friend Kevin Foley said.

“Sal was an extraordinary person who was always thinking about others.”

Mr Foley and Ms Taylor, 71, were both members of Wagga’s French choir Chorale Francais, a group.

The choir was just one of Ms Taylor’s interests, which also included Bidgee Dragons and OzHarvest’s Reap program.

Mr Foley said his friend was passionate about France, and regularly visited the country.

In Wagga, she drove a Citroen car and was president of Alliance Francais.

“Sal was known and liked by so many people who will be very sorry to lose her,” Mr Foley said.

Ann Buik, president of the Bidgee Dragons club remembers that Ms Taylor would often arrive early at training on Saturdays, so she had time to clean off the launch pontoon on Lake Albert before others arrived.

“Sally did a lot of things that we didn’t always realise at the time, but then we’d say ‘oh who did that’ and the answer was Sally,” she said.

Ms Buik said her friend had joined dragon boat club in 2013 and was an active member until June 2018.

“Sally was our equipment and maintenance co-ordinator,” she said.

“She had carpentry and welding skills. She could make repairs to our boat trailer.

“Sally created a dragon mascot for us. It even produced smoke.

“She thoroughly enjoyed paddling and she just loved life.”

Ms Buik said her friend had been such a fan of dragon boat paddling she had even begun a group called DoAbility, which offered a version of the sport to people with additional needs.

She also convinced fellow Chorale Francais members to compete as a team in the Wagga dragon boat regatta in 2014.

Lyn Foord of OzHarvest remembered Ms Taylor as a valued and enthusiastic team member.

“She was a loyal supporter of our work,” Mrs Foord said.

Ms Taylor is survived by her sons Tom and Clive and their families. Daughter Sara predeceased her.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 24, at the Wagga Boat Club, from noon. 

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