Lela May Taylor

Lela May Oliver Taylor passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in 1921 in Phoenix, Arizona to William and Elizabeth (Bettie) Oliver. She graduated with a degree in Education from Arizona State Teacher's College. A child of the Depression, she was a hard worker. She and her brother, Bill, would peddle cantaloupes for money to go to the movies. She worked three jobs to pay her college tuition, including working as a telephone operator with her sister Idahelia. Lela also riveted planes to contribute to the war effort during World War Two. Lela was tall and athletic. She excelled at many sports including baseball, volleyball, and swimming. She was also adventurous. Along with her best friend, Babe, Lela moved to the then Territory of Hawaii. There, she taught elementary school on Maui. The Hawaiian Islands and the Hawaiian people always had a special place in her heart. Her career as an educator continued in California, where she taught at Point Richmond and Wilson Elementary schools. Lela continued to teach for 36 years. She was a born teacher, and touched the lives of countless children. Though reading was her specialty, she taught a vast curriculum including music, art, and folk dance. With the artistic talents of her sister, Margaret, she produced the operetta, "Hansel and Gretel". It was aired by the local PBS station. Lela spent her summer vacations in Needles, California with her sister Beulah and her beloved nieces and nephew. She also traveled extensively in Europe. In 1957, she married Wilson "Floyd" Taylor. He died eight years later in an automobile accident, leaving her to raise their two daughters, Cynthia and Susan. She was a strong and independent woman as well as a loving and devoted mother. Lela was always smiling. She would talk to everyone, and never knew a stranger. Everyone loved Lela. Among her many interests were reading, classical music, and opera. Lela was also talented seamstress. Every year, she made Halloween costumes for four grandchildren, Juliette, Victoria, Rebecca, and William. Because she loved them so much, she never said no to any costume request, no matter how elaborate. Lela was more than a grandmother to them: she was a teacher, a confidant and a role model. She had a vast knowledge of poems and songs, which she would sing in her low, lovely voice. Lela, you are, and always were, the pretty teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her sisters Idahelia Higgins and Beulah Notley; her brothers William Oliver, Frank Oliver, and Marvin Lendley; her best friends, Frankie May Leonard, Babe Newell, and Elizabeth Bailey; and her beloved grandson, William Johnson. Lela is survived by her loving children, Cynthia and Susan (Brad) Johnson; her cherished grandchildren, Juliette, Victoria, and Rebecca Johnson; her sister Margaret Leach; many adored nieces and nephews; her "third" daughter, Janice Jarzabek; and many, many friends, including Jo Caroll Harris. Thank you to the doctor, nurses, and staff of Bonner General Hospice, the staff of Bonner General Hospital, the staff of Life Care, Linda Nitkowski, Liz Stoddardt and the staff of Daybreak Center, Sand Creek Medical, and friends and loved ones for all their love, care, and support. A family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lela's memory may be made to the Daybreak Center, Bonner General Hospice, or the charity of your choice. A hui hou and aloha.