Dorothy Hellen Taylor

Dorothy Hellen Taylor passed away Thursday May 28, 2015 at Dawson Place in Hill City, Kansas at the age of 86. She was born September 20, 1928 in Sheridan County near Studley, Kansas to Robert and Elsie (Andrews) White. She graduated from Sheridan Community High School with the class of 1947. On November 24, 1952 she was united in marriage to Henry Taylor in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They were blessed with three children, Sandy, Douglas and Richard “Randy”. Dorothy was a homemaker, a Healthy Start Home Coordinator for the Graham County Health Department, a Creel Clerk for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. Dorothy enjoyed camping, fishing, artifact hunting, and had a special interest in the history of Sheridan and Graham Counties. She spent each day looking for opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives, especially children. Her job at Healthy Start gave her many opportunities to make that difference. Fishermen/women could always count on a thermos of coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls during her tenure as a creel clerk at Morland and Sheridan lakes. She was an avid birdwatcher and fed all of the birds and squirrels around her home. She was good at what she did and passionately loved each of her jobs throughout her life. Above all, Dorothy was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Nothing was more precious than her children, grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren. She taught them to value life experiences over material things, to live every day to the fullest, to never judge a book by its cover, to love equally and unconditionally, and to always forgive. She loved all people, never knew a stranger, never complained and was never short of smiles. Dorothy treated everyone with love and kindness. Dorothy is survived by her son Richard “Randy” Taylor and wife Linda of Garden City, Kansas; sisters, Rosa Brock of Lindsborg, Francis Keith of San Bernardino, CA., Ramona Ball and husband Bill of Eureka Springs, AR, Elizabeth Legere of Hays and Alice Denk of Hill City; seven grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elsie White; husband, Henry Taylor; son, Douglas Taylor; daughter, Sandy Dolezal; brothers, Bob White, Fred White, and Ted White; and sister, Kay Rueschhoff. Dorothy leaves us with strength, grace, eternal optimism, and love. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing her, our lives are richer, deeper, more meaningful and more loving. Her legacy will live forever in the hearts of her family and all generations to follow. Reception: Morland Community Center