Helen E Taylor

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Helen Taylor made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was a fighter whose quiet strength and graceful courage were such an inspiration to those who knew her. Helen lived to love and nurture her family, and it was when surrounded by her loved ones that she was truly happy. Married to the love of her life for nearly 70 years, their marriage exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be.Helen was the sort of lady who didnt just take what life gave her, rather, her mission was to make the most of the hand she was dealt no matter the personal cost. Life will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. This was the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties when jazz music was hot, the silent film era came to an end, and Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart transformed the world of flight. While these were primarily prosperous days for most, there was a time of great celebration in the lives of Benjamin H. and Ruth F. (Pence) Byall for an additional reason as they were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Helen on April 26, 1925, in Whitley County, Indiana. She was joined in her family by her brothers, Harry, Maurice, and Ned and sister,Patricia.

Born and raised on the Byall family farm in Jefferson Township, Helen was a young girl of her generation. She was a hardworking young girl who attended the local township school and was involved in many school activities including as a member of the basketball team. Helens high school years were at Jefferson Center High School where she was an honor student who went on to graduate in 1943.

Not to be forgotten during Helens years in high school was her introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Robert Taylor, and she had asked him to attend a Sunshine Banquet with her during her junior year. As Bob went on to Purdue University, they stayed in touch and in his Sophomore year, theywere married on July 28, 1946, at Jefferson Chapel United Methodist Church. Once they were married, Robert moved Helen over to the Lafayette area as he finished up his degree. While there, she got a job doing bookkeeping at Ross Gear to support them while Bob was a full-time student. After he graduated, Bob and Helen decided to move to North Webster as he took a teaching job for a few years before getting a job back in Whitley County. By 1954, they moved to the Taylor family farm off State Road 14, which had been in the family for over 150 years.

Together Helen and Robert welcomed five children, Ed, Jeanne, Doug, Dan, and Emily. She was an amazing mother who took care of the family and also helped out with all aspects of the family farm. Helen did it all from gardening, harvesting, and canning whatever she could. She even taught her kids how to can, too. Helen masterfully cooked whatever was in season, and she found all kinds of recipes to keep everyone from getting bored with the same thing. Nothing went to waste in her garden or on their farm. Among Helens specialities were her homemade noodles and pies with her pie crust from scratch that was to die for. As her family and friends can attest, Helen was not one to go light on the sugar in things either at this point I her life! Helen was also a meticulous housekeeper who was an amazing seamstress, enjoyed reading and playing checkers, and simply loved being a mom. When her children arrived home from school, she was always there to ask about their day and had a way of making each one feel as though they were the most important person in the world to her. This was something that extended far beyond her family as everyone always felt like they were so special to her. As a family the Taylors enjoyed renting a cottage on Crystal Lake in Frankfort, Michigan, every year using the money they earned selling their home-grown strawberries along the roadside.

In addition to caring for her family, Helen did pursue other things as well. She would start and serve as president of the Jefferson Township Home Demonstration Club. She also enjoyed going to church and and became a member of Dunfee Missionary Church.Over the years, she taught Bible study, Bible school, and helped out with Bible camps over the years.As her children grew older and graduated from school, Helen worked as a teachers aid with the FWCS from 1984 until 1998.

Even after suffering a stroke on April 25, 2011, Helen was an inspiration to others. Because the stroke affected her mobility, the doctors had told her that she would not walk again. However, she went on to ride her recumbent bicycle for over two miles every day, and she also walked daily until the time of her death. In addition, Helen lost over 100 pounds and did exercises and lifted weights to continue to strengthen her arms, legs, back, and facial muscles. Her story to recovery was published in an article that continues to inspire others to this day.

Loving, caring, and generous, Helen Taylor was a selfless nurturer and caregiver who cared for her family, her mother as her health declined, and anyone she met who was in need of a gentle touch. She was a natural counselor and always could think others ideas all the way through and help them make a decision. She took great care in always looking her best, and she made her husband, children, and grandchildren so very proud. Deeply loved, Helen will be forever missed.

Helen E. Taylor, 90, ofFort Wayne, Indiana, died at 8:23 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at Lutheran Hospital. Helens family includes her husband, Bob Taylor; children, Ed (Pat) Taylor of Baraboo, WI, Jeanne Taylor of Fort Wayne, Doug (Cindy) Taylor of Lafayette, Dan Taylor of Lafayette and Emily (Kurt) Boller of Roanoke; sister, Patricia (John) Byall Alexander of Fort Wayne; sister-in-law, Delores Byall of Columbia City; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harry, Maurice, and Ned Byall; and grandson, Daniel Boller.

Visitation will be2-5 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2016, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be10 a.m. Mondayat Dunfee Missionary Church,818 W County Line Rd N, Fort Waynewith calling one hour prior. Pastor Dennis Rowe and Pastor Jerry Blanchard will be officiating. Burial will follow at Jefferson Chapel (Sand Bank) Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the church or to Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette, Inc. To send her family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .