Jane Urban Taylor

BERRIA (CANTABRIA), SPAIN – Jane Urban Taylor, born in Sacramento, Calif., died at her home in Spain at dawn on Feb. 15, 2021, after a short illness.

Jane grew up in California and Georgia before moving to the Chicago area. A graduate of Northwestern University (B.A., 1962), University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana (M.A., 1964), and University of Chicago Booth School of Business (M.B.A., 1971), Jane went on to develop a career in International Market Research. One of the first women to advance to executive level in that field, she attributed her success to always being better prepared than the competition. At Searle (1973-77) and then at Pfizer (1980-98), Jane was known among her colleagues for her acumen, her leadership, and her kindness toward all members of her team, from fellow associate directors to secretaries. She is remembered especially for extending a helping hand to those just starting out in the profession.

Following a Fulbright Grant to Madrid in 1962-63, Jane spent much of her life traveling. Her work took her frequently to Europe and Asia, and she never tired of visiting favorite destinations for pleasure. Fluent in Spanish, Jane’s passion for immersive experience continued later in her life, when she married Vicente Berrocal Uccheberria. Dividing their time between Berria and Chicago, with many visits to family and friends at all points in between, Jane and Vicente shared many happy moments together. An elegant woman appreciative of formal gestures, she also had a mischievous personality and delighted in running sotto voce commentary at any event. Her lipstick was always bright pink, and her favorite opera was Tosca.

In addition to her family in Spain, Jane is survived by her twin sister, Jean Taylor Federico, of Chevy Chase, Md.; and two nieces, Sylvia Federico Hanrahan of Falmouth, Maine, and Lydia Federico Dolan of Chevy Chase, Md.

Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s memory may be made to the Taylor-Federico-Kamen Fund of Northwestern University Libraries (please send a check or make an online donation, payable to: Northwestern University

1201 Davis Street

Evanston, IL 60208

with a note designating the Taylor-Federico-Kamen Fund, NU Libraries