Lillian Taylor Tews

Lillian “Lilly” Taylor Tews was a sweet, gentle soul; thoughtful and friendly; sincere and compassionate; fun and unabashedly silly – with infectious playfulness and a joyful laugh that continues to ring true. She was adventurous and full of wonder, beautiful and impactful. Lilly is dearly loved and sorely missed.

Only 17 when she tragically passed away on June 26, 2022, Lilly’s light shone brightly and was seen and felt every day.

She was born on November 24, 2004, in Roseville, California, to parents Andrew and Jennifer and big sister Abigail. Growing up in California, Lilly’s bubbly personality, kind heart and knack for adventure came naturally. She was creative and imaginative, and she loved to dance and play. She was a Disney kid – her favorite was Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

In the second grade, and by this time a big sister to Rory and Shane, Lilly and her family moved to Greenville, North Carolina, a home she fondly remembered and community in which she formed lasting friendships. It was here that Lilly began to hone her athletic prowess and show a flair for competition. She excelled in soccer, softball, track and gymnastics. Her softer side was also apparent. The family adopted a pup named Charlie, whom Lilly affectionately nurtured and took care of for the rest of her life.

In the fourth grade, the family moved to Puerto Rico. Lilly took to the exotic locale and made the most of the opportunity to express her adventurous side, from swimming with sea turtles, dolphins and stingrays to jumping off waterfalls and exploring the tropical rainforest. She also went on her first cruise and explored other islands and wonders. She experienced and made lifelong relationships in Puerto Rico and developed a deep empathy for and protectiveness of others. This became even more evident as she grew older, from lending aid to a teaching assistant being bullied in Arizona to saving the lives of kittens only days before the end of her life. Lilly found power in the unseen and her compassion inspired others.

Entering seventh grade, in 2017, Lilly and her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she resided in her final years. The move brought her closer to family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. There were road trips and family vacations, rom-coms and lots of music enjoyed, among so much more – a flurry of activity and an array of emotion. She was an all-American girl, stylish and stunning, with a beautiful voice and fun, silly nature. Her favorite color was pink, and she loved to watch movies, especially The Kingsmen series, San Andreas, and Titanic. She loved to read and was an exemplary student and member of the National Honors Society. Lilly had toured and was considering a cosmetology school after graduation.

Lilly is loved, adored and celebrated in life and death. She is survived by parents Jenny and Andy; siblings Abby, Rory and Shane; grandparents Robin, Susan, Jeff and Penny; aunts Tami and Jana; uncles Taylor, Joey and Bart; and cousins Anora, Adam, Ainsley, Jack, Tyson, Colton and Leia.