Dorothy Taylor

DOROTHY TAYLOR

Cedar Rapids

Dorothy Evelyn Taylor, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 19, 2016, at Mercy Hallmar. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Ave. NW, in Cedar Rapids. A prayer vigil will begin at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be at All Saints Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 23, at 10 a.m., with visitation one hour before. The Rev. John R. Flaherty will officiate. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Dorothy was an only child, born Feb. 4, 1923, in Cedar Rapids to Frank and Emma Wavra. She attended St. Wenceslaus School and Church, where she met Richard Leo Taylor in first grade. Dorothy and Richard married April 11, 1945, and were together for 61 years. They became proud parents of eight children. She graduated from Mount Mercy College of Nursing, working her early years at Mercy Hospital, and later was a full-time mom caring for their five boys and three girls.

Dorothy and Richard were longtime members of All Saints Catholic Church. They enjoyed attending the Cedar Rapids Symphony, dancing, wildflower and vegetable gardening and concerts in the park. Together they delivered Meals on Wheels, drove patients to oncology appointments and volunteered at Mercy Medical Center.

Dorothy is survived by Mark (Barb) Taylor of Sioux City, Tom (Deb) Taylor of Tigard, Ore., Dan (Carla) Taylor of Cedar Rapids, Bob (Dayna) Taylor of Urbandale, Marie (James) Tarr of Columbia, Mo., and Kevin (Kelly Boe) Taylor of Cedar Rapids; 17 grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren; son-in-law, William Wise III; and niece, Karen Wires.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard (2006); daughters, Carol (1955) and Cathy Wise (2010); and great-granddaughter, Evelyn (2015).

Dorothy will be remembered as a caring, devoted mother and grandmother with a quick wit and wry sense of humor. She gave the best back rubs and was a great storyteller to her children and grandchildren.

Dorothy made blue-ribbon potato salad and the most scrumptious orange rolls. She loved to play bridge with dear friends, Ed, Mickey, Chuck and Mary and would lose with grace because of her husband's mistakes. She enjoyed reading the newspaper, gardening and completing daily crossword puzzles before losing her eyesight to macular degeneration.

The family is grateful for the care and compassion given to Dorothy at Kingston Hill, Higley Mansion and Mercy Hallmar for the past 10 years. Thank you very much everyone, along with Hospice of Mercy in her final months.

Words cannot express our loss, but we will cherish the memories we have had as a family.

Memorials may be directed to Macular Degeneration, P.O. Box 531313, Henderson, NV 89053 or All Saints Catholic Church, 720 29th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.