Died unexpectedly after a courageous fight with cancer on November 15, 2013, in Salt Lake City,UT,at the age of 76. Born on November 2, 1937 in Mesa, AZ,thethird of five childrenofMathiasFossCowleySmith and CleonaOlsen. Dorenegrew upproud of her Mormonpioneer heritage as a descendant of Jesse N. Smith and Emma Larson. Her naturally effervescent personality made it easy for her to make friends wherever she wentas her family moved from Clarkdale and Joseph City, AZ to the San Luis Valley in Coloradoto New Mexico. Shegraduated from Farmington, NM high school in 1955, where she was a National Honor Society member and attended NM Girls' State. She was apopular cheerleader who befriended everyoneand it wasn\t long beforeher winning smile caught the eye of Bob Taylor, whom she married in 1956.She attended Brigham Young University for one year before the birth of her first child, and then devoted herself to mothering four childrenand providing service to others throughout her life—a true example that "charity neverfaileth." Wherever she lived (El Paso and Odessa, TX; Omaha, NE;Northbrook, IL;Castle Rock, CO; Salt Lake City, UT) Dorene was an active volunteer in the communityand leader in her many church service positions as well as a highly esteemed retail professional, achieving the elite Pacesetter status in sales atNordstrom Park Meadows, CO. Whether she wasworking as a voting election judgein Illinois, as Stake Relief Society President of the Wilmette, IL Stake, or as a dynamic personal shopper for clients at Nordstrom, Dorene, was adored and admired by all for her calmeffective execution of any taskand her alwaysnon-judgmental character. Shewas an excellent athlete and played tennis until the last few months of her life, making many friends incompetitive leagues around the country. She was a creativeartist andfashionforward dresserwho appreciated fine art, literatureand design and inculcated these values in her children. She continued her own education by enrolling in online courses at BYU. In her last months, she applied her gifted eye to watercolor painting and left a legacy of beautiful art for her grandchildren. After moving recently to Salt Lake City, she became the adored favoritecompanion of her youngest grandson, afflicted with autism.Even in her final days she continued to devotethe same energy, love and patience to his care and education, as she did in all her endeavors inlife.
She is survived by her lovinghusband, Bob; daughter, Shereen (Steve Berger); sons Bryan and David (Polly);brothers Norman,Kevan(Susan); David (Jude) and sisterLinneaBarney (Ralph) and ninegrandchildren;pre-deceased by her son Norman Dean and sister-in-law, Colleen.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Monument Park 17th Ward, 2795 E. Crestview Dr., Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City and from 10:00-10:45 am at the ward on Saturday. In lieu of flowers and in memory ofDorene Smith Taylordonations may be made to National Abilities Center http://www.discovernac.orgwhich supports special education programs for children with autism spectrum disorders.
