Katherine "Kathy" Ann Taylor was born July 25, 1957 in Deming, New Mexico while her family was living in Hachita. Kathy was the second child of John & Dorothy Taylor, after older brother Glen. A year later, Bonnie completed the happy family.
Family was always very important to Kathy. She loved her family dearly. John, Dorothy, Glen, Kathy, and Bonnie were a close-knit bunch. They spent most of their time together, whether they were working or playing. The Taylor family lived a simple but good life, a life that Kathy seemed to enjoy until the end.
The family moved many times during Kathy's life. From Hachita they moved to Deming, and then to the Pelayo farm west of Deming. Next, to Burley, Idaho, then to their farm in Costilla, New Mexico. Later, they moved to the Cliff/Gila area, where Kathy graduated from Cliff High School. After their graduations, Kathy and Bonnie moved to Silver City, NM where Kathy resided until her passing.
Kathy took after her dad, John, in many ways. She shared his sense of humor and his quiet attentive nature. She was soft-spoken, reserved, and thoughtful. Her laugh was very much like his, more like a quiet chuckle. She was a little onery, but in a good way, and she was a little bit of a prankster.
She had many hobbies: reading, painting, and genealogy, to name a few. She enjoyed picnics and going for drives to see the outdoors. She specifically loved the rural scenery, wildlife, windmills, and old buildings. Kathy was very sentimental, and collected antique furniture and furnishings, pink depression glass, and family heirlooms. A detail-oriented and organized person, Kathy served as the family historian for both the Taylor and Gardner families. She traced each lineage back many generations and researched the histories, along with recording her parent's and grandparent's verbal family stories and keeping up with every birth and death for decades. Her work is cherished by both sides of her family, who will be able to read the books she created and know where they came from for generations to come.
Kathy was a very talented artist. She studied at the Bureau of Cartoon Art and taught herself to paint through Bob Ross tutorials, recording each lesson and perfecting her trade. She painted many barns, farm scenes, windmills, and animals. Her paintings were often on old saw blades or rocks, anything that inspired her. Kathy also sketched, and was known to illustrate family cook books and even party invitations. Her art is well- known to her family and is a treasure to behold.
Creativity and attention to detail were among Kathy's many gifts. Kathy, along with Dorothy and Bonnie would work for months on themed Christmas parties for the Gardner family each year. Everything was homemade and followed a theme, from the ornaments on the tree to the appetizers. Kathy also decorated cakes personally and professionally for many years. Her planning, preparation, and hard work created beautiful memories for those she loved.
Kathy cared deeply about others and helped them all she could. She worked as a home health aide for many years, prior to caring for her dad, John, until his passing in 2005. After his death, she cared for her mom, Dorothy, and Glen until they passed in 2023.
Glen's last task as a big brother before his passing in 2023 gave Kathy a great blessing. A good friend of Glen's, Rudy Garcia became her family. When Kathy lost her last sibling, Rudy took over. He helped her with Glen's affairs, remodeled her home and made it like new again, and checked on her every day. Rudy even brought her a little dog, Dolly, to keep her company. Kathy was extremely grateful to him for helping her and taking great care of her.
Kathy loved Jesus and read the Word often. Her faith was strong and we know that upon her passing there was quite the reunion in heaven. For years, she was excited to be reunited with John, Bonnie, Dorothy, and Glen.
Kathy passed away on July 28, 2025, just three days after her 68th birthday in Las Cruces, NM at Mountain View Hospital.
Kathy was proceeded in death by her Dad, John E. Taylor (2005), Bonnie F. Taylor (2015), Dorothy L. (Gardner) Taylor (2023), Glen E. Taylor (2023), her Grandparents Charles "Gib" & Lola (Prestridge) Gardner, and Ellis and Cleo (Houser) Taylor as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. Kathy is survived by Sonny & Jacque (Carter) Gardner of Silver City, NM. Neline (Taylor) Dominguez, Ruth (Taylor) Griffith, Natalia (Taylor) Linder, Lanita (Taylor) Lambeth, Lynna (Taylor) & Nick Blea, and Lee Taylor & Lennie, as well as many cousins and extended family members, including her good friend, Rudy Garcia.
Kathy's wishes have been upheld and she will be buried next to her dad in Gila, NM. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 10:00am at Gila-Mesa cemetery with Pastor David Goble officiating.
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trust care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
