Catherine Elizabeth Taylor

Wasilla resident Catherine Elizabeth Taylor, 71, died Jan. 11, 2013, from respiratory failure due to lung cancer at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. She was surrounded by family and close friends at the time of her death and is now at peace with Jesus.

She was born in Pendleton, Ore., Feb. 21, 1941, to Max and Margaret Taylor. Catherine attended the University of Oregon. Her interests were dramatic arts and English literature.

Surviving are sisters, Candace Lee Bussell and Clista Ann Taylor; children, Clyde Boyer, Joe Boyer, Renee Smith, Bernadette Davis, Trish Boyer and Michael Boyer; 22 grandchildren, Challis Taylor, Brianna Boyer, Kyle Boyer, Aidan Boyer, Alaina Beth Boyer, Austin Boyer, Elan Smith, Hannah (Smith) Lewis, Megan (Smith) Kohn, Isaac Smith, Leah Smith, Sarah Smith, Jesse Smith, Abram Davis, Valencia (Davis) Kirkland, Aysha Davis, Nadia Davis, Alily Davis, Saul Davis, Sam Dinges, Benjamin Dinges and Jack Boyer; nine great-grandchildren; and goddaughters, Kristin Taylor-Bond and Hannah Moriah Kearse.

Cathy will be dearly missed, as she was a loving, kind and enthusiastic sister, mother and friend. She was generous to a fault with her time and talents. She tutored many of her friends’ children to help them with their English and grammar.

Cathy was an accomplished pianist. She enjoyed playing and listening to classical music. She was a conversationalist extraordinaire. Always a seeker of knowledge and wisdom, she actively discussed and debated issues on politics, religion and the environment. Cathy believed in fairness to all and in the indomitable positive spirit of humankind.

She championed civil rights from her college years and the March on Washington in 1963 to her later years of seeing her dream come true with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American president.

A celebration of life service will be announced at a later of date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, P.O. Box 876464, Wasilla AK 99687, or online at goo.gl/rvicw.