Marylee Taylor

Marylee Taylor died Sunday, November 23, at the Iowa Jewish Life Center in Des Moines, following a brief illness. She was born on the family farm in Dickinson County, Iowa, November 22, 1926, to Lloyd and Ina Place. Like many Iowans of that time, Marylee attended a country school a few miles from her home and graduated from Okoboji School in 1944. It was there that she met Glen Taylor, the man who would be her husband for 63 years. They were involved in farming together from that time forward. Glen and Marylee relocated to the Des Moines area in 2004 in order to be closer to family. Marylee raised four unique and bright children: Joel, who died in 1980; Chuck a social worker who resides near Portland, Maine; Mary, a sign language interpreter who lives in Galena, Illinois; and Laura, a financial executive who lives in Johnston, Iowa. Marylee also worked in several Milford-area businesses. She was a member of the Union Memorial Church in Milford. Marylee's openness, generosity, and love were blessings for those who were fortunate enough to call her friend or mother. An avid quilter, Marylee also leaves an incredible collection of her handiwork. Besides playing with her grandchildren, one of her favorite activities was to spend countless hours wandering area quilting stores in her quest for fabric. She read widely, and enjoyed spending time cultivating her flowers. In addition to her husband Glen, Marylee is survived by her sister Lorene Hoffman of Lake Park; children Chuck Taylor, Mary Meyer (Joel), and Laura Taylor-Lloyd (Bill Lloyd); and granddaughters Kim and Melissa Meyer and Natalie Lloyd. She will also be missed by her dear friends Robert and Kathy Hein, and their four children to whom she was known as "Grandma." Her brother Lester preceded her in death. The family wishes to express their appreciation for the staff at the Iowa Jewish Life Center - who made her final days as comfortable as possible - and to Dr. Lazaro Rabang, a dedicated physician who deployed the best available science and technology for Marylee's care and invaluable warmth, sympathy, and understanding to her family as they supported Marylee on her final journey.