Phyllis Taylor

Phyllis Jean Taylor, April 10, 1932 - March 5, 2026

Phyllis Jean Taylor, 93, of La Grande, passed away peacefully on March 5th, surrounded by family. A Graveside service will be held on  May 2, 2026 at 10:00 am, with a reception to follow at Island City Hall. 

 She was born in La Grande, OR to Asa and Lena (Campbell) Harmon, oldest of four children. Their father died young and Phyllis helped her mother take care of her brothers and sister while her mother started working to support the family.  Part of that time they lived in the logging camp at Camp Elkana and she loved the mountains and going to school held in a boxcar.

 Phyllis attended and graduated from La Grande High School and married Richard Taylor on October 8, 1950.  They had three children and lived on a farm in the idyllic Grand Ronde Valley along the Island City-Cove Highway.  Phyllis not only worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Joseph and Grand Ronde Hospitals in La Grande for many years but also had a very busy life being a wonderful mom to her three children.  

Phyllis was active in the United Methodist Church, Wesleyan Circle, Mr. & Mrs. Club, Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed socializing at church functions, pinnacle parties and dining out with friends. But her first and foremost focus was to her family. She devoted many hours to her kids and their numerous activities, from 4-H to music lessons, scouts and sports.  She especially loved reading and playing board and card games with her children and grandchildren, frequently at their family cabin at Wallowa Lake.

  She was preceded in death by loving husband Richard, son Ricky, brothers Charles (Louise), Jack (Una Mae), and David (Paulette).

  Phyllis is survived by daughter Kimberly Wilber (Phil), son Mark Taylor (Laura), grandsons Zachary, Jackson, Payton, Colin, Aidan, Nickolas, Christopher and Patrick; sister Dixie and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com