Mary Elizabeth Klumph "Taylor"

Everyone’s life is the sum total of all of the people they have met, the things they have done, the places they have gone. Mary was no exception. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Mary will be remembered as an exceptional person. Mary’s life journey began on September 27, 1931. She first greeted the world in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Her parents' were Fred Taylor and Ida Loretta (Yuhaus) Taylor. She was raised with two brothers, Frederick and Thomas and two sisters, Barbara and Isabelle. Mary was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her family sharing many life experiences over the years. Mary was a typical teenager who had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. She graduated from Conneaut Senior High School in 1949.

Falling in love is a huge milestone for any person. Just knowing that you have met that special someone is a magical feeling. Mary experienced that with Miles Newell Klumph and the couple exchanged wedding vows on February 17, 1949. The wedding took place at the Methodist Church in Greenup, Kentucky. Empathic and loyal, Mary was committed to making her new family happy. While everything a person does in life contributes to who they grow into, it is ultimately this same person who holds the most influence on the next generation. Mary was blessed with three children Karen, David and Diane. Mary worked hard to be a good mother to her children and did her best to fulfill their needs, raising her children in a positive and nurturing environment. Later on, Mary was blessed with the gift of six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Showing a strong ethics, Mary worked diligently and did her best to succeed in each of her jobs. Mary worked for many years as a pianist and singer, an artist, secretary and a retail clerk, in addition to the full-time job of being a mother and wife. Mary loved the Arts. She played the piano and sang, favoring old standards and jazz standards and boogie woogie. She loved creating art in oils, pastels, acrylics and water colors. She loved watching television, especially classic movies and the Twilight Zone. She also enjoyed watching Law and Order Criminal Intent. In High School Mary excelled in Concert and Marching Band as a saxophonist and majorette, also an acapella sopranist. In her high school yearbook she was listed as a “Discovered Talent” capturing hearts. She was a member artist with the National City and San Diego Art Associations, a studio artist with the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park, a volunteer pianist and music director for the National City Playhouse Group and a volunteer nursing home cheer giver.

Mary Elizabeth Klumph “Taylor” left us on Sunday, April 7, 2013. She passed away at Reo Vista Healthcare Center in San Diego, California. The cause of death was due to natural causes. She is survived by husband Miles N Klumph, her daughter Karen S. Barrows, son David W. (Sarah) Klumph and daughter Diane L. (Guy) Chambers. Her brother Frederich (Dee) Taylor and sister Barbara Stahley, her six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews. Services were handled by Glen Abbey Mortuary. A Funeral Service was held at The Little Chapel of the Roses on Sunday April 14, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Mary's place of rest is Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California.

So this is Mary’s life, the sum of the woman that she became. Simply stated, Mary was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Mary leaves behind her a legacy of lifelong friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life Mary Elizabeth Klumph “Taylor” touched will always remember her with a "Shadow of your Smile," a favorite song.