Carol Taylor, 78, of Lodi passed away peacefully on the morning of May 14, 2015. Carol was born on December 7, 1936 in Everett, Washington. She was raised in Everett by her grandparents. Upon graduation from Everett High School in 1955, Carol married the love of her life, Al Taylor, and the two began what would become a very fulfilled life. Their two sons, Randy and Rick, were born in Washington. Shortly after Rick’s birth, the young family moved to the Bay Area of California where their daughter, Jennifer, was born and their family was complete. As Al went to school and worked to make his way in the airline industry, Carol became involved in many groups including the hospital auxiliary, PTA, and play groups. In 1973, the family moved to Lodi. Again, Carol became very active in many organizations such as 4-H, PTA, the Garden Club, the Antique Club, Dirty Dozen card group, and many more. She was most proud of her involvement in the founding and opening in 1990 of the Lodi Women’s Center, an organization she was passionate about and continued to serve for many years. Although involved in many clubs over the years, Carol was also a successful real estate agent in Lodi for many years. She began her real estate career at Red Carpet and also worked for Rose Marie Realty and Grupe Real Estate.
Carol loved to travel and did so extensively with family and friends. Over the years, she visited faraway lands and enjoyed the culture and experiences each trip had to offer. It seemed like she would return from one trip and immediately start planning the next! Of all the places she traveled to, her favorite was Honolulu, Hawaii and she truly believed that there wasn’t a problem in the world that a trip to Hawaii couldn’t solve. Our family and many friends are blessed to have enjoyed so many of these tropical vacations with Mom. Aside from traveling, Carol loved to spend time with her family. Her children and grandchildren brought her much joy. Carol could always been seen rooting on her kids or grandkids in the many activities in which they were involved. She was happiest when everyone gathered at her home for some of her homemade Swedish meatballs. There was always room at her dining room table for anyone who stopped by.
Carol’s hobbies included collecting antiques, playing cards, and shopping (she trained her daughter, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters well in that area!)
Carol is preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, her brothers, Mike and Tommy, and her husband, Al Taylor. She is survived by her children Randy Taylor (Vikki), Rick Taylor (Sandy), and Jennifer Willis (Curtis) and grandchildren Heather Archuleta (Jordan), Alex Taylor, Caroline Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Zach Kramer, and Taylor Willis. Carol is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Seve and Stella Archuleta and siblings Sandy Chimenti, Marcia Pedack, and Jim Baer and Nancy Rayl, all of Washington.
The family asks that contributions be made to the Lodi Women’s Center, P.O. Box 2543, Lodi, CA 95241.
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VISITATION
No visitation will be held.
SERVICES
A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 27th at 2:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. at United Congregational Christian Church, 701 S. Hutchins St. Lodi, CA 95240, with Rev. Derril E. Peabody officiating.