Dolores "Dee" Taylor

Dolores “Dee” Taylor passed away Sept 22, 2021, at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.

Dee was born August 27, 1930 to Chuck and Veva Braden, in Walla Walla Washington. The family moved to Grants Pass in 1937. Dee attended local schools and graduated from GPHS, in 1948. She was active in sports, many clubs and cheerleading. She attended OSU for two years and then married Jack Taylor in 1951. They had six children. Dee worked at McLain Drug Centre for several years. She then returned to school at Southern Oregon College, in 1968, where she earned a BA in English/General Studies in 1970 and a Master’s Degree in 1973. She also earned an Administrative Certificate from Portland State University, in 1985. Dee taught English at North Junior High for one year and then at GPHS for 24 years. She retired in 1995 and continued to work for the Superintendent for three years, publishing a newsletter for constituents of District 7.

Dee, better known as Mrs. Taylor, touched many lives during her teaching career and was much loved and remembered by her students.

Dee blessed countless people as she volunteered in many capacities. She volunteered for the SMART Program, school libraries, Three Rivers Medical Center (Auxiliary President), Josephine County Library, and FISH. She was a member of Newman United Methodist Church, where she served on many committees and volunteered in the church office.
Dee was a member of PEO, UMW and Fellowship Circles, AAUW and Book Club.

She enjoyed reading, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, golfing, traveling, sewing, knitting, walking her dog, gardening, and probably most of all, volunteering.

She is survived by sons Gayle Taylor (Tanya), Bill Taylor (Liz), and Patrick Taylor (Zuri); daughters Dee Swettman (Bob), and Jackie Bowen (Dave). She had 11 grandchildren: Ryan, Scott, Bobby, Lindsey, Mandy, Samantha, Jacob, Hayley, Whitney, Grant and Braden. She also had 12 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents Chuck and Veva Braden, sister Audrey Atkinson, former husband Jack Taylor and son Michael Taylor.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 2, at 2:00pm, at Reinhart Volunteer Park: Harry and David Shelter. Dress is casual.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.