Lovina Albrecht Taber of Vero Beach died peacefully at Florida Baptist Retirement Center on February 12, 2018 at the age of 92.

She was born to Christian Albrecht and Barbara Jantzi Albrecht on July 26, 1925, in Wellesley, Ontario, Canada.  Her family moved to Buffalo, New York, where she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.  After graduating from Orchard Park High School, Orchard Park, New York in 1942, she met Clarence Thomas Taber of Warsaw, New York and, in 1946, moved with her parents to Vero Beach.  Lovina and Clarence began their marriage of 51 years on June 28, 1947, at the Vero Beach Community Church.  After getting married, they resided continuously in Vero Beach for the remainder of their lives; and, it was here that they worked, raised four children and operated their hospitality, construction and real estate businesses.

Lovina worked for Pillsbury Flour Company in Buffalo, New York during WWII.  A professional seamstress, upon moving to Vero Beach she operated a sewing business out of her home while her children were young, then later drove school bus for the Indian River County School System to pay for flying lessons. Upon becoming a licensed real estate broker, Lovina co-owned Taber Real Estate & Construction, managing all aspects of the real estate sales and property management business while her husband, a general contractor, operated the construction business.  She also owned and operated Tropical Palms Apartments until her retirement in 2012.

Lovina was active in her local church and numerous non-profit organizations. She traveled extensively and worked tirelessly for the mission of the Gideon Bible Society, serving as a leader in local and state organizations, including three terms as State President of the Florida Women's Auxiliary, with other terms as its State Secretary and State Treasurer.

Lovina was a Founding Executive Board Member of Real Life Children's Ranch in Okeechobee, Florida, and served on its Board of Directors since its inception in 1957.  Real Life Children's Ranch is a state-licensed, faith-based 501(c)3 that provides Christian residential group home services to abused, neglected or abandoned children in a beautiful, farm-based, family setting on the shore of Lake Okeechobee.  Her son, Gerald Leonard Taber joined her on the Board of Directors for over twenty years, and her granddaughter, Jennifer Taber Reelitz, continues the family's support of this important ministry.

Lovina loved to fly. After taking her first airplane ride in 1965 at the age of 40, she and her sister, Anna Albrecht Walker, took flying lessons and earned their private pilot licenses.  She owned her own plane and enjoyed flying with her husband, sister, family and friends.  She flew her plane for the real estate business, to attend Gideon Bible Society meetings, and to visit family and friends throughout the country.  She logged over 4,000 hours of flying time traveling from Vero Beach to locations as wide spread as California, New York and Canada.  She was active for over 40 years in The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots, founded in 1929 by Amelia Earhart, an organization that promotes the advancement of women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and passion for flight. She maintained her medical certification and flying proficiency as pilot in command until she was 80 years old.  Her love of flying never diminished.

Lovina is survived by her sister, Ruth Albrecht McCloud of Vero Beach; sister, Martha Albrecht Kry and husband, James of Bushnell, Florida; sister-in-law, Jean Albrecht of Kenmore, New York; sister-in-law, Priscilla Albrecht of Lakeland, Florida; brother-in-law, Peter Taber and wife, Della of Elma, New York; sister-in-law, Janet Taber of Orchard Park, New York; daughter, Maxine Taber Dunlop of New York, New York; son, Donald G Taber and wife, Jill Millikan of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina; 4 granddaughters, Kristin Taber Wolfe of Raleigh, North Carolina, Lisa Dunlop-Zed of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jennifer Taber Reelitz of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Alisha Taber of Fort Meyers, Florida; 7 grandsons, Thomas Taber of Acworth, Georgia, Scott Taber of Cordoba, Tennessee, John Taber of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jonathan Dunlop of Los Angeles, California, Michael Taber of Cordoba, Tennessee, John Michael Taber of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jason Taber of Avon, Colorado; and, 14 great grandchildren and 53 nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by Clarence Thomas Taber, beloved husband of 51 years; son, Thomas Harry Taber; son, Gerald Leonard Taber and wife, Wendy Smith Taber; and her parents, 4 sisters and 6 brothers.

A celebration of Lovina's life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Florida Baptist Retirement Center, 1006 33 ^rd St., Vero Beach, Florida 32960, in the Assisted Living Unit.  Visitation with the family will begin at 9:45 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Lovina's name to Real Life Children's Ranch.  Checks may be mailed to 777 US Highway 441 SE, Okeechobee, Florida 34974.  Online donations can be made by going to the "Donate Now" tab at www.rlcr.org .  Please designate "Lovina Taber Memorial Fund" in the "Organization (optional) " box under "Contact Information."

www.coxgiffordseawinds.com