Marilyn Young Taylor

Marilyn Young Taylor of Kalispell, Montana, passed peacefully into the presence of our Lord on June 30, 2023. Marilyn was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1929, the great-granddaughter of Brigham Young, second president of the LDS church, granddaughter of Alfales Young, his son with wife Eliza Burgess, and the daughter of Percival and Lyle Young. She graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah to study fashion design. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral where she met her husband, Paul J. Taylor. They married on September 3, 1949. Together they raised four children, moving often between California, Utah and Montana as Paul pursued various career opportunities and eventually entering the Episcopal ministry.

Marilyn moved to the Flathead Valley in 1973 when her husband took a position as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Kalispell. She was very involved in the activities of the church and pursued a career as a librarian in the children’s section of the Flathead County Library from November 1973 to November 1996.

Marilyn was an avid reader, talented artist, and gifted seamstress. She used her skills in fashion design and sewing to create distinctive clothing for her children and grandchildren, produce original boutique apparel, and craft beautiful quilts. Her sense of fashion was always reflected in the stylish clothing she wore. Her paintings and calligraphy works graced the walls of her families’ homes, Sunday School rooms and library walls. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to develop their talents in sketching, painting, and sewing. and was always available to instruct them. Her work as a librarian allowed her to pass on her love of reading and many grandchildren learned of the latest and best books through her.

Marilyn remained active after the death of her husband in 2002, traveling to Ireland, Hawaii, and Alaska, as well taking numerous road trips. She was a member of Eastern Star and tutored young students in reading through the Literacy Program. She was a resident of Heritage Place for the past 6 years and blessed many with her kindness and sense of humor.

She is survived by her sons, Paul Tayor, Jr. and James Taylor, daughters Cathryn Taylor and Mary Lynn Jordt (husband Jason Jordt); by her grandchildren Autymn Taylor, Timothy Hoopingarner, Peter Hoopingarner, Christopher Cox (wife Wendy), Jonathan Cox, Erin Alexander (husband Christopher), and Sarah Jordt; and great grandchildren Sebastian, Anisha, Owen, Sheamus, Alice, Kiara, and Grace.

Marilyn’s memorial service will take place on September 30, 2023 at Christ Episcopal Church at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Imagineif Library Foundation. You may donate online at www.imagineiflibraryfoundation.org/donate or my mail to Imagineif Library, 247 First Ave. East, Kalispell, MT 59901.