Mary Ann Vandrasik Taylor's Obituary
Mary Ann (Vandrasik) Taylor, 86, of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020, peacefully following a prolonged illness. Selfless and firm in her faith, she loved her family and friends through both her words and actions, teaching them always to be forgiving and kind.Mary Ann loved all things of God’s creation, especially nature, animals, and the outdoors. An avid gardener until late in her life, she taught her children and grandchildren how to appreciate the Earth, how to be honest and selfless, and how to love God. She loved to cook and bake—and she was good at it—as evidenced by the countless dishes she made for her church family as a longtime patron of New Life Lutheran of Gallipolis. She was active in the local food pantry, clothing giveaways, and many other functions within the church, where she met a few of her closest friends. Hers was the home that everyone came to on holidays, and she always made sure all felt welcome with a home-cooked meal or a glass of iced tea. She was born on June 19, 1933, in Kings Mine, Ohio, to the late John and Mary (Valentine) Vandrasik. After graduating from the former Lore City High School in Guernsey County, she moved to Cleveland and first worked for the Union Carbide Corporation as a secretary, living there with her aunts and uncles. She married Willis Taylor in October of 1957 in Pleasant City, Ohio, and they would spend the next 41 years together before his death in 1998.She spent several years working with Willis in his business, Taylor’s Garden Center in Cleveland, before the two built and operated a Dairy Queen restaurant in Cleveland for 13 years. After raising four children, the two sold the business and retired in 1985 and settled in Gallipolis, Ohio, where Mary Ann lived for the last 35 years of her life. Those who remember her could easily see Mary Ann crocheting or knitting a gift for a church member’s new baby, taking walks to pick hickory nuts, or pickling just about anything from her well-kept garden. She was full of comfort and grace, but also had a playful sense of humor that could send her and those around her into fits of laughter. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mary Ann is preceded in death by her brother, David Vandrasik; her parents-in-laws Clyde and Lois (Fortner) Taylor; brother-in-law Roger Taylor, brother- and sister in-law Ron and Sonya (Taylor) Meitz; sister-in-law Anadelle Vandrasik; and niece Sheryl Taylor. She is survived by her loving children, Lois (Robert) Friend, Laura (Michael) Roberts, Kurt (Michelle Londrico) Taylor, and Lee Ann (Curt) Gilles; her grandchildren Robert (Melissa) Friend, Nicole Watkins, Susan Friend, Katherine Stump, Grace and C.J. Gilles; her great-grandchildren Robert Friend, Taylor Lescsak, and Wyatt Friend; her brother John (Millie Tiano) Vandrasik; sister-in-laws Nancy Taylor and Darlene Vandrasik; and countless nieces, nephews, friends and church family. To honor Mary Ann, you may donate to New Life Lutheran Church, 900 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, Ohio, 45631; (https://heartlandhospicefund.org/donate/); or directly to Heartland Hospice of Jackson, 404 East Huron Street, Jackson, Ohio, 45640. There will be no services at this time. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com
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