Every life is unique from the beginning to the end. We enter this world as an unknown to those who await us, and we depart having created our own story of being, a web of relationships, and a treasury of life experiences.
Her Beautiful Life ...
Judy (April Judith) Taylor, a beloved friend and inspiration to many, passed away on September 18, 2024, at 85. Born on March 5, 1939, Judy leaves a legacy of kindness, open-mindedness, and unwavering generosity that touched the lives of many.
Judy was more than just a member of any community she lived in; she was a heartbeat. Known for her friendly demeanor and the ease with which she started conversations, Judy made it her mission to support local stores, artists, and farmers. She was a familiar face at the Grower’s Market in Grants Pass, where she championed the vendors. Everywhere she went, Judy made friends - with local receptionists, grocery clerks, and postal delivery persons. She remembered birthdays and spent a lot of money on Hallmark cards!
In 1963, Judy married the love of her life—her Omaha "Benson Bunny" high school sweetheart, Maryln Taylor—and they raised two wonderful daughters, Aria and Joy (also known as the "Taylor Tots"). Judy’s dedication to her family extended to the girls' friends, churchmates, and neighbors.
As the Sunday School Coordinator and pianist at Unity of Bellevue, she nurtured the spiritual growth of many young minds. As a stay-at-home mom for the first years of her daughters' lives, her kitchen was a hub for all the neighborhood kids, offering tasty organic, whole-food snacks before healthy was "in style." While living in Bellevue, WA, she was an integral member of the Cheese Co-op. In 1978, she started and managed The Family Tree, one of the first health food restaurants in the area. She loved to play tennis, bike, and walk. Judy and Marlyn had many friends, hosted dinner parties, and created community gatherings.
When Judy entered the workforce as an executive administrative assistant, she landed a prized position at Microsoft, working in the publications department under senior staff. Bringing her organizational skills, attention to detail, and kind demeanor to the job, she thrived and was valued by many.
After leaving Bellevue, Judy, Marlyn, and Joy moved to Portland, OR, while Aria went to college. There, Judy continued her career in administrative technology support, contributed to The Unity of Portland youth, and championed her daughter Joy's theatrical endeavors in high school.
In 1988, Judy and Marlyn moved to Arizona. Judy's passion for health and wellness was evident in her numerous roles as a nutritionist, cooperative farmer, and advocate for alternative health practices. She worked for the Edgar Casey Foundation, became the office manager for a small supplement company, and served as a part-time receptionist at The Vibrant Life Center - a hub for healing. Later, she partnered with The Amazon Herb Company, grew a large organization, and received the "Best Customer Service" award (multiple times) as she generously shared her knowledge and expertise. Based on her sales volume, she won a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Amazon Rainforest and Machu Pichu, where she and Marllyn visited remote villages.
A spiritual aspirant, meditator, and visionary, Judy found peace in devotional reading, new thought lectures, and women's circles, where she celebrated the moon cycles, seasons, and holidays. She adopted grandchildren and families and showed her love for humanity by donating to the many causes she believed in.
When Marlyn and Judy moved to Grants Pass in 2003, her community involvement continued. She was an active member of Soroptimist International, striving to make a difference in the lives of women and girls. Her efforts to uplift those around her inspired all who knew her.
Judy Taylor’s life was a testament to the power of community, love, and compassion. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. As we remember and celebrate her life, we carry forward her spirit of generosity and open-mindedness, ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire future generations.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Grants Pass chapter of Soroptimists, or please support your local natural farmers and stores in her name.
The Traveler
She has put on invisibility.
Dear Lord, I cannot see -
But this I know, although the road ascends
And passes from my sight,
That there will be no night;
That You will take her gently by the hand
And lead her on
Along the road of life that never ends,
And she will find it is not death but dawn.
I do not doubt that You are there as here,
And You will hold her dear.
Our life did not begin with birth,
It is not of the earth;
And this that we call death, it is no more
Than the opening and closing of a door-
And in Your house how many rooms must be
Beyond this one where we rest momently.
Dear Lord, I thank you for the faith that frees,
The love that knows it cannot lose its own;
The Love that, looking through the shadows, sees
That You and she and I are ever one!
- James Dillet Freeman, Unity Minister
Gallery of Photos - Please Share!
Videos - Please Share!
Memories and Blessings - Please Share!
I often think of the time that Judy joined Joy and me to snowshoe up the long incline of McBride on Mount Shasta. Judy's enthusiasm to be with Joy and her friends was often apparent, and I loved her cheerful essence. On that long trudge up hill, Judy shared that her abundant health was beginning to falter, Thus Judy and I began a long conversation that extended over many years - often via phone and long emails. I am proud of how Judy extended her life for many years through natural healing. She lived long also because she shared so much light wherever she went. I am also comforted how gracefully she surrendered to Spirit in her dying days.
I am moved by Aria's inspiring words about merging with her mother's love and peace after her passing. I too felt an inspiring connection with Judy a few days after Judy's passing as I looked up into the trees and blue sky while visiting Joy. .Judy seems delightedly free.
Thank you Judy, Marlyn, Joy, and Aria for making the world a better place for so many, including me.
One of my favorite childhood memories is being on the Pacific coastline with her very early early in the morning to look for sand dollars. I loved that so much!
When I went and visited in 2012 we went for walks around her neighborhood and I'll never forget eating the blackberries that grew wild there. Also picking pears in a city park.
I did not know or understand about much of the holistic and nutrition connections that she believed until I was much older.
In the 90s when I was getting a new job at UPS, she actually sent me vitamins in the mail.
I don't have enough memories with her, but I will cherish who I knew her to be all of the rest of my days.
Thank you Aunt Judy for your love and kindness.
I will always miss you.
From the first time Aria introduced me to her Mom
I felt welcomed.
I remember Judy giving me vitamins and herbs I had never
heard of and needing them.
Judy introduced me to a person named Black Bear who channeled the future.
Judy taught me the importance of Thank You cards.
Thank You for Aria.
"The first thing you see is light. The first thing you hear is laughter.
The first thing you feel is Love."
Emmanuel
I'm sure Judy is Smiling. Love.
My own love of Nature, and being part of it ,was expanded to the health benefits or living organically with Judy's tutelage .
Thank You Judy, for being You.
Love and Blessings to Judy and the Taylor family.
A hui ho (until we meet again!)
“Let’s call it a moment in time and remember it internally.” We declared.
And so we collected many “moments in time” over the years.
As we moved through life, spending time with mutual friends or in beautiful places, we’d often pause, look at each other, and say, “This is a moment in time.”
There are so many special memories of our 54 years together.
She was my biggest cheerleader - giving me extra enthusiastic words of affirmation, applause, and encouragement at every turn. She loved my friends, attended my plays and concerts, and marveled at my athletic adventures. She supported me as a business partner in the Amazon Herb Company, proofread and edited my e-newsletters and articles, and championed my book writing. And mostly, she witnessed me and held me as I evolved and grew in love, creativity, and service.
Mom cared deeply for her friends and was a great friend to many. I learned from her the value of investing in cherished, long-term relationships.
Mom followed and researched the pioneering edges of optimal health and spent many years in radiant, energized states. I continue to benefit from her modeling and teaching of holistic living.
Mom accepted people of all faiths and found truth and wisdom through many religions, and I grew up understanding that LOVE is the common thread that brings us all together.
She is with me still, and I feel her freedom and happiness as I rejoice in the eternity of our bond.
After reviewing her papers and her last wishes, I found this poem I will share now…
An Awakening - by Anne Ring
I am part of that flower growing there,
I am part of the birds flying high in the air,
Everything flows from just one Source.
A giant River of Life - a Force.
As all the rivers connect to the sea,
There is a connection ‘tween God and me,
Creator of the Universe vast,
A Universe that will forever last,
And even tiny specks like me
Will live forever - eternally free.
I had the most healing experiences the night and days following my mom's transition. Soon after she left her body, I was met with this huge, brilliant, golden sunlight. It was a warm, vibrant, life-sustaining love. The night she died, I kept waking up thinking it was daytime because there was sunlight all around me. I could hear her laughing.
I could hear her voice. It was a voice I hadn't heard for years. I listened to her tell me how much she loved me and how important I was to her that I know this. I did. I felt it absolute. I told her the same. The next day an old, saved message popped up on my phone. It was Mom telling me how proud she was of me. Her voice was huffing and puffing as she was walking. Perfect! That day I kept hearing her voice, her laugh in the distance. I wasn't trying to. I had no preconception of this experience. It was as if, no, it WAS that she was more alive than she had been for years. I was struck by how much more of herself she was to me in the coming days. I became so conscious in a visceral way of the illusion of death. I realized I had been grieving her death for a while and for me, suddenly, she was more bright, vibrant, and alive than she had been to me for quite a while. I guess that's what happens when people die. We begin a process of letting go. Piece by piece. Layer by layer. We release. Our hearts break. Letting go of the inessential and opening to the pure love. Our hearts break open to receive the love. Or remember it. At least, that's my experience.
My mom, Judy, had an enormous amount of energy. She loved life and was always engaged. She was funny and playful. She cracked me up! We shared some very long laughing bouts, going on for up to five minutes (which is long in laughing time). We used to sing together and harmonize, always taking chances. She had such a beautiful voice. Our harmony was usually lovely. One time, we were at church, Christmas Eve service no less, and she belted out a harmony that was horrible. We kept trying it, but it was not sounding good. We were laughing so hard we were crying. (She could laugh at herself.) The song ended. For about half an hour, we sat side by side, shaking and laughing silently on the edge of our seats, that at any moment, we wouldn't be able to keep it in. We did barely. Well, Mom, you don't have to keep it in anymore. Laugh on. Shine on. I love You!
I hung out with twin brothers, and Judy was friends with their girlfriends. There was a Sadie Hawkins dance, and they and the girlfriends suggested that Judy ask me to the dance; I said yes. When the next dance came, I reciprocated and asked her to go with me; she said yes. On our thirteenth date, I finally kissed her. (I said I was very shy.) And things were never the same thereafter.
Needless to say, Judy changed my life. She was my inspiration and my cheerleader. Without her, I would be in a different place and a different person. I almost dropped out of college, but Judy ensured I finished. She was the one who inspired me to get my Master's. Judy took education seriously and excelled in High School and College, graduating near the top of her class.
Judy developed an interest in nutrition while in college and, after graduation, was accepted for a Dietetic internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After the internship, she worked at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
We moved around a lot and found that in those days, she could always find a job quickly. And move after move, she quickly knew almost everyone in the neighborhood.
Needless to say, Judy made my life better, and I suspect that was true for the many people with whom she interacted.
With both LOVE and respect,
Marlyn Taylor, Husband
Favorite Things ...
For others - greeting cards!
Donate
https://www.soroptimistsirv.org
