Marian Taylor Antin

Marian Taylor Antin

Cedar Rapids

Marian Taylor Antin, 96, died peacefully Jan. 7, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Born Sept. 30, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, she graduated from Franklin High School in 1944 and attended Carleton College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and Greek in 1948.

Following graduation, Marian moved to New York City, where she married Robert Herman Antin in 1951 and later gave birth to their first two children. She worked in various positions, first as an assistant preschool teacher, eventually taking a position with IBM as a tour guide of the Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator, one of the first modern computers. In 1954, Marian and Robert returned to Cedar Rapids to raise their family, which grew to four children before their divorce in 1958.

That year, Marian became an IBM machine operator at National Data Processing, later known as Network Data Processing, where as a single mother she rose to serve as president of the company from 1987 to 1989. She later worked in various positions and retired in 2006 at age 80. In retirement, she remained an avid cook, gardener, reader and worldwide traveler — passions she pursued throughout her life. Always a constant were the many cats to which she gave her attention and affection.

Marian cared deeply about the Cedar Rapids Community, serving as president of the Cedar Rapids Health Center and president of the Jane Boyd Community House. Her enthusiasm for classical music led to an interest in opera. She later became a founding member of Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, where she served on its board for many years, including as vice president. She unsuccessfully ran for the Cedar Rapids school board in 1957, though her campaign was featured in Look magazine.

Marian's professional accomplishments never overshadowed her devotion to her family, whom she adored, always offering her guidance and love. Many of her happiest memories came when her family gathered together.

Preceding Marian's death are her parents, Dorothy Bates Taylor and Harmon Robert Taylor; brothers, Robert Harmon Taylor, Allen Marcus Taylor and Samuel Lord Taylor; brother-in law, Richard Gallagher; and her ex-husband, Robert.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy Gallagher of Granville, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Mary Taylor of Shueyville and Marilyn Taylor of Madison, Wis.; children, Sarah Antin and David Antin (Megan Ward) of Cedar Rapids, Elizabeth Sherman (Lee) of Marion and Benjamin Antin (Nancy) of Minneapolis. Also surviving are four granddaughters, who knew her as "Mafe or Mafer," and four great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Marian's guiding words were to "be always kind and true," and that is how she will be remembered.

Her family and close friends plan to celebrate her life at a gathering this summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Community Health Free Clinic of Cedar Rapids, communityhfc.org; and the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, cropera.org.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.