Obituary of Virginia Ellen Taylor

Virginia Ellen Taylor, our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at home May 5, 2018, at the age of 90. A funeral ceremony will be held in her honor Thursday, May 10th, at Janowicz Family Funeral Home, at 11:00 AM, with Reverend Jane Duffey officiating. Burial will follow in Pine River Cemetery. Family will visit with friends and relatives at the funeral home in Remus Wednesday evening from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and again on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM to the time of service.

Virginia was born June 6, 1927, the daughter of Asel and Johanna (DenHertog) Fish. She married the love of her life, Richard “Dean” Taylor, on March 2, 1957 and together the two grew their family to include three children. Virginia graduated from Blanchard High School in 1945 as Salutatorian. She then put herself through college at Central Michigan College, and graduated in 1949 as a business teacher. For 18 years, Virginia was a passionate teacher for several different school systems, before retiring from Montabella School System. She loved her students, and they equally loved her back. A farmer’s wife, she was an independent and strong woman. She loved traveling, and prior to getting married, visited 38 states and even made a trip to Europe. Virginia was also known as an Avon lady for a number of years, was an active member of the Blanchard Pine River United Methodist Church, and an active member of her community.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lynn David Taylor of Blanchard, and Kelly Jo (Bradley) Smith of Midland; six grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dean; daughter, Carla Jean Taylor, and two brothers, Donald and Arthur Fish. 

Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org, or to the Blanchard Pine River United Methodist Church at 7655 W. Blanchard Rd., Blanchard, MI 49310, in lieu of flowers.