Taylor Anne MacKinnel of Branford unexpectedly passed away at her home on June 9, 2024. Taylor was born in New Haven on Feb. 4, 1992, beloved daughter of David and Anne Santa Barbara MacKinnel of Branford, and fiancée to Jason Newman of Branford.

She grew up in Branford and graduated from Branford High School. From there, she attended and graduated from TEACH cosmetology school in Guilford and worked as a hairdresser. Taylor’s biggest and proudest accomplishment was being a mom to Kaden Thomas Joshua, Jagger Dee, and Briella Skye Newman; her life revolved around them. When Taylor spoke of her children, her face would light up, and it was clear that they were the loves of her life. She enjoyed spoiling her baby girl Briella with all things girly, attending mommy-and-me classes with Jagger, and watching Kaden play baseball; she was his biggest cheerleader in the stands and always will be.

Besides spending time with her family, she loved to travel, be at the beach, listen to music, decorate her home, and enjoy the life she built with Jay. Her one-of-a-kind personality, warm hugs, quiet strength, and genuine love for her friends and family will be the beautiful qualities that she will be remembered for.

In addition to her parents and children, Taylor is survived by her siblings, Tiffany MacKinnel (Odell McNair) and Thomas MacKinnel (Michelle Devito), of Branford, and their children, Summer Willow McNair and Savannah Diana MacKinnel; her maternal grandfather Thomas Santa Barbara of Branford; her uncles, Thomas F. Santa Barbara, Douglas (Sharon) MacKinnel and Daniel (Didi) MacKinnel, all of Branford; her in-laws, Bruce and Patricia Newman of Branford; and her great-aunt Elaine Klarman of Branford. She was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Diane Santa Barbara, and her paternal grandparents, Donald and Phoebe MacKinnel.

Relatives and friends may attend a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, and are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. For directions and an online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.