Memorial services for Mrs. Gayle Elaine Taylor, aged 95, will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Hanlin Funeral Home in Vassar (1148 W. Saginaw Rd, Vassar, MI 48768); visitation will begin at 10 AM and last until the time of service. Pastor David Collins and Pastor Gloria Cox will officiate.

Gayle Kaufmann Murphy Taylor was born August 22, 1931, in Flint, Michigan, and passed away August 24, 2026, in Saginaw, Michigan. She was the daughter of Glen E. Kaufmann and Ethyl Caroline Menere. She was the oldest child with 5 brothers and grew up in Goodrich and Flint School Districts for 19 yrs. Married Robert C. Murphy Nov. 22, 1950, and lived on his family farm established in 1875. Worked as a hostess at Bavarian Inn (pictured with Dorothy Zehnder on the first Zehnder’s Brochure). Attended Flint Community College (now Genesee County C.C.) toward receiving a teaching degree from UofM Flint. Student taught at Lacure, Clio before accepting a fulltime position in Millington Community Schools for 3rd grade. She continued her education for a master’s degree in education. Raised 3 children Michael, Amy and Steve. Robert passed away in 1978, then she remarried in 1989 to Robert (Bob) E. Taylor with stepson Stephen (Mary) and 4 stepdaughters Colleen, LoRee, Kristen and Kim (Chris). 

Preceded in death by Robert Murphy, Robert Taylor, and close companion Myron Thompson, brothers Jack (Donna), Ted (Lynn), Larry (Phyllis), Vic (Wanda) and son Michael. Leaving behind youngest brother Terry, daughter Amy, son Steven (Brenda), all 5 stepchildren, 9 grandchildren Jay, Tristan, Austin (Jesse), Cameron (Dana), Connor (Erika), Erin, Alana, Evan, and Meredith, and one great grandchild Nora. 

Loved to travel. She traveled with fellow teachers to Great Britain, for a guided tour. Took cruises through the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Hawaii. With her companion Myron, traveled to Okinawa, Japan. Enjoyed visiting the states Amy lived in and near. Saw the sites in Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas, and then, to get to the World’s Fair Expo in Vancouver, traveled through Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Also visited with stepfamily in Florida, Arizona and California. Learned to golf and lived Winters in Yuma, Arizona which included regular walk over visits across the Mexico border until Covid in 2020 which ended trips SouthWest. 

Besides travel, Mom loved to embroider to give away to family, read as many books as she could get her hands on, write cards to all her family and visit cousins in the Upper Penninsula. She also included boating and fishing off Neebish Island with Bob Taylor. As she slowed down and couldn’t golf(at age 87), she also picked up playing electronic Solitaire, reading the newspapers to keep up with the happenings, helping at the Arbela UMC Ice Cream Socials and Millington Arbela Historical Society fund raisers and summer festival booths. A life well lived, worked hard, and loved being there for everyone else.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Blood Cancer United) or Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

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Gayle and her family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home - Vassar. Address: 1148 W. Saginaw Rd, Vassar, MI 48768. Phone (989) 823-8621.

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