Lucille Gatenby Taylor July 17, 1931 - December 7, 2022

Lucille Gatenby Taylor, Spanish Fork, passed away on December 7, 2022, after a full and accomplished life.

Born July 17, 1931, in Provo, Utah to Jack and Ingar Sarah Lucretia Hokanson Gatenby, she grew up in Orem and Provo, graduating from Provo High School. She was a student at BYU when she married Richard M. Taylor, a law student at Stanford University. After her husband’s graduation from law school, the couple moved to Spanish Fork to establish a law practice. While raising her family of six children, she completed her undergraduate education in history at BYU, and later a masters degree in Library and Information Science, also at BYU.

During her 30 year teaching career, largely at Spanish Fork High School, Mrs. Taylor taught History, Economics, American Problems, Humanities and Journalism. She founded the debate program at Spanish Fork High School and was known for her winning forensics program. After finishing her graduate degree she was a librarian/media coordinator for Spanish Fork High School and Nebo School District.

Throughout her career, she was an esteemed teacher and a formidable advocate for teachers and students. As an early and effective lobbyist for smaller class size, increased teacher salaries, and benefits such as maternity leave, health care and professional development; she believed in the importance of teaching as a respected profession and in the protection of teacher’s rights. She began her advocacy by serving as the President of Nebo Education Association, then President of the Utah Education Association and as a board member and Utah State Representative of the National Education Association. She served many years on the board of Educator’s Mutual Insurance. She gave service to Utah’s Higher Education institutions as a gubernatorial appointee to the Institutional Councils of Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University), Snow College, and the University of Utah Graduate School of Education Advisory Council.

Mrs. Taylor served her community and the State of Utah as a member of the Utah House of Representatives, and as a board member and chair of the Utah Division of Water Resources. Throughout her career, she also involved herself in local issues, serving on the board of directors of the Citizens’ Coalition to Save Geneva, the board of directors of Utah Valley Crisis Line and Information Referral Board and as a member of Rotary International and numerous other community groups. In her 80’s she traveled with fellow Rotarians, administering polio vaccine in Calcutta and smaller communities in India.

Above all, she was a beloved wife and mother. Great lives last for generations. Predeceased by her husband, she will continue to inspire those who survive her, including her children: Douglas (Peggy) Taylor, Susan Taylor (Robert) Hansen, James (Lisa) Taylor, Mary (Kendall) Bosen, Martha (Vernon, deceased) Kirk, John (Erika) Taylor and many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. At her request, there will be no service.