Maria Lourdes, Guzman Taylor

Maria Lourdes Taylor, December 22,1962 – April 16, 2013, After a courageous and inspiring battle with breast cancer, Maria passed away peacefully at home while in the company and prayers of her loving family and friends. Maria Lourdes Costales Taylor was born December 22,1962 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. She was the oldest of 6 children, born to Florencio Sr and Lourdes Costales. Maria grow up in the Philippines and exceled in school. Maria valued education very much as she was a bright and articulate student who loved writing and reading literature. Her favorite classic fairytales were Rapunzel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. She graduated High School at the University of Santo Tomas Education High and in 1983 earned a degree with a Bachelor of Science in Phycology at the same University. After graduation, she became a guidance counselor at the Sienna College, a catholic college for girls. She also taught science at her Alma Mater, University of Santo Tomas. Maria came to America in June of 1990. She was invited to be the delegate from the Philippines for the World Health Organization Convention on AIDS, held in San Francisco. After the convention, Maria chose to remain in the United State and moved to Delano with her parents. While in Delano, Maria met Emerson Taylor, who worked at the hospital. Maria and Emerson would start a family and raise three adorable children, Tasha, Paul and Maria. Aside from being a religious and loving mother, Maria was successful in her many careers for the state of California. For nearly two decades, Maria worked in various government jobs. She worked for the Employment Development Department (EDD), Employment Training Resource, a language interpreter, and was a psychometrist for Wasco State Prison. Maria was an amazing person with a kind heart, zest for life, and the natural gift of uplifting everyone around her with irresistible charm, Laughter, and light smile. Maria was passionate about life and embraced whatever adventure came her way. Despite her battle with cancer, Maria remained as courageous and free spirit. She especially loved to play the guitar, sing and dance and became a member of the choir at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and was also a member of the Hula Ministry Family of the First Assembly of God. Maria is survived by her children, Tasha, Paul and Maria, her parents Florencio Sr. and Lourdes Costales and her siblings, Luz(Joseph), Patrick(Ellen), Stephanie(Dennis), Florencio Jr. (Alma) and Carlo. Also eight nieces and nephews, Auntie Doris, cousins Dick(Rollyn) and children, Marlon and Mayet. Her love and presence will be clearly missed but never forgotten. The spirit of Maria lives on through her family, her children, colleagues from school, work, her ministry, her church, her Hula Ministry family, Pastor Larry, and the large circle of friends, special mention Dorothy Velasquez, Sam and Carolyn Rivera, Rina and family, Lita San Pedro, Maria and Jose, our most wonderful Auntie Pin and Uncle Ernie, Susie Martinez, Alicia Villareal, the doctors and staffs at the San Joaquin Hospital, Hoffman Hospice, the Corinthian Garden administration and staff, and Dr. Bertiz.