Janet Taylor

Janet Taylor brought sunshine and smiles to scores of people throughout her life. She was an amiable and fun-loving person who always put her family and friends above all else. Through work and play, hardship and heartache, Janet never lost sight of the things in life that truly mattered. Her sincere enthusiasm for and honest approach to life was contagious and it increased the lives of all those who knew and loved her.

The 1950s were an exciting decade in our nation’s history as America strode confidently from the ashes of World War II into a new age of prosperity. It was in these times of progress that Americans discovered the proximity of the suburbs, the convenience of dishwashers and the swinging sounds of rock and roll. Amidst the excitement sweeping the nation, Gordon Gould, a research engineer for Dow Chemical, and his wife, Verna (Hook), of Alma, Michigan were celebrating the birth of their beautiful daughter, Janet, on December 16, 1955.

The younger of two children, Janet grew up in Alma with her older brother, Steven. She received her education in the Breckinridge area schools, where she was an excellent student and participated in various activities, like band and as a member of the National Honor Society and a class officer. Janet had a very bubbly personality and an inviting smile that won her friends wherever she went. After graduating Breckinridge High in 1973, Janet attended MSU for a short time.

An industrious and hard working young woman, Janet worked a variety of jobs in the Saginaw area before eventually moving to Grand Rapids and taking a job with Xerox as a repair technician. She remained a loyal employee here for 27 years. Not one to be idle, Janet then switched gears and recently opened a Mafia Mike’s Pizza in Grandville, where her ever cheerful disposition and friendly smile was sure to charm the customers and make everyone feel welcome.

Janet was in her early 30s when she married Paul Taylor in November 1988. Within their five year marriage, the couple sadly lost two children, Jane and Paul Gordon, in their infancy. Although their marriage ended in 1993, Janet and Paul remained friends.

Janet loved life and the people that were a part of it. It was said that she loved to “collect people” all of whom quickly became a treasured friend in her life. With her lively spirit, Janet was always a lot of fun to be around and never failed to make others smile and laugh. She also had two beloved cats, Muckie and Lil Bit, who were her constant companions at home. Aside from being a social butterfly, Janet loved music. From a very young age, she learned to play a variety of instruments, which continued well into her adult years and expanded to include an eclectic blend of music. In her quieter moments, Janet enjoyed using her green thumb in the garden.

Janet was a very trustworthy woman and giving to a fault. Her kindness, in all its forms, touched people’s hearts and encouraged them to cherish every moment life has to offer. Knowing the value of humility, honest and sincere generosity is the only way to know the person and life of Janet Taylor. She touched many lives and will be remembered in the hearts of them all.

Janet K. Taylor, age 54 of Grand Rapids, MI passed away unexpectedly. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon Gould, her infant children, Jane and Paul Gordon Taylor. She is survived by her mother, Verna Gould; her brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Cynthia Gould; and her niece, Colleen Gould. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 3, at 3 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, with visitation from 1-3 p.m. Interment in Jerome Twp. Cemetery in Sanford, MI. Please visit Janet’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or sign the online guest book.