Dear family and friends, I am saddened to share that my sister, Renae T. Taylor, age 84, passed away in Provo, Utah, in the afternoon of December 30, 2022, after a short illness.
Ranae was born October 9, 1938, in Bingham, Utah, to Robert Ferry Thomas and Virginia Bartholomew Thomas. She grew up in the Sugarhouse area of Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended schools there and graduated from South High School in June of 1956.
She married Frank D. Taylor, and they lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; Hagerman, Idaho; and most recently Orem, Utah. During their first few years in Seattle, Renae and her husband provided a sanctuary as well as care and a loving home to foster children, including special needs foster children for extended periods of time. She and Frank took pride in raising their own four beautiful children in the Seattle area, specifically on Vashon Island where they also hosted many international exchange students from Taiwan, Japan, and other Asian countries. During the boom years in Seattle, Washington, Renae and Frank also opened their home to five of her younger siblings while her siblings explored job opportunities in the great Northwest. Three of her younger siblings found and married their spouses while living in the Seattle area.
While juggling her responsibilities as a spouse, an LDS Seminary teacher, and a mother of four teenagers, Renae attended and graduated from the University of Washington earning high marks in her chosen field of elementary education. After graduation, Renae was hired to teach elementary school on Vashon Island. This was her dream job.
After her retirement, she and Frank traveled extensively, including taking a photo safari to Africa. She also took trips to China, Taiwan, and a Canadian cross-country rail tour, and of course Disneyland, Disney World, and Sea World. Frank and Renae frequently took their grandchildren, and often their children, as they sought to explore the horizons.
Renae is survived by her four children and their families, as well as numerous grandchildren, and a ton of great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three of her five brothers and by her baby sister, Diane.
At her request, there will not be a formal funeral service for Renae, but plans are being made for a celebration of life, at a later date. In the meantime, notes of condolence may be sent to any of her family through her obituary page at www.walkermemorials. com
4 Condolences for Renae Thomas Taylor
Condolences(4)
Marya Purrington says
January 11, 2023 at 4:42 amMrs. T was my teacher at Chautauqua on Vashon Island for first, second, and third grades. I am lucky to have had her for 3 years! And then, she was my friend. We bonded over a love for the Olympics and some of my favorite memories as a “multi-age graduate” were going over to watch the Olympics with her and Frank at their house! When they moved out of Washington, my mom and I would go visit them and kept up with Renae.
We spoke last in October when I became engaged to another one of her past students and she was so thrilled and couldn’t wait to get our wedding invitation.
My heart is broken for her family – thank you for sharing her with all of us; we were truly blessed to have her as a teacher, supporter and friend.
Janis McElroy says
January 12, 2023 at 2:40 amRenae had a remarkable spirit. She was our youngest daughter’s first grade teacher making that year magical for her. Several years later I was privileged to student teach in her classroom where she masterfully guided me while allowing me freedom to try out my teaching skills. Later we became colleagues in the Vashon school district. I am saddened to hear of her passing. I can still hear her laugh and imagine her enthusiastically enjoying her new life.
Debbie Butler says
February 4, 2023 at 4:16 pmI will never forget this wonderful woman. She was a gifted teacher and a supportive friend, continuing her warm connection after moving off Vashon. Renae never failed to offer encouragement in any situation, be it to a student or a parent or a friend. She was hilarious, with a understated sense of humor that caught you off-guard and made you laugh hours later. I am still laughing at her reaction to a class project, which was the making of silhouettes of all the children, and one of her. She gestured to hers, hanging with the rest in the hall of Burton School, and said, “I wish there were some way that a few chins could be removed when they do this”. Not deprecating, not disliking herself in any way, just a funny comment. I think this is how she saw life: everyone is lovable, exactly as they are, and always, always find the bright spot.
Whitney, you are the daughter I know from the family. This is coming from Debbie (former Lincoln) Butler, whose daughter, Lydia, you babysat at the Episcopal Church with such love. My caring thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Darlene says
March 15, 2025 at 3:04 amIt is very funny. I think about Renae often. She was running the Historical Museum in Hagerman during her retirement years and I met her as a new volunteer. It was her warmth and sharp mind that I remember. I still have a recording of her on my phone because her message of love and friendship was so amazing. I feel very honored to have known her even for just a few years. .
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