Mary Ann Taylor

Mary Ann Taylor was hard-working, strong-willed and big-hearted. She made it her life’s work to care for people, both at home and in her career as a nurse. In a quiet, neat and orderly way, she got every job done and still kept on working. Her family and friends observed that she was the only person to help out with dishes every time! In that and many other ways, Mary Ann was a “saint” who was constantly and selflessly putting others first.

Born Mary Ann Centilli on May 14, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mary Ann came of age during a hopeful period in US history, following WWII. The civil rights movement became a dramatic force in America, jobs were plentiful in a lively economy, and growing families launched the baby boom era. Television was bringing the world into homes across the nation, and rock ‘n roll music was being broadcast around the world.

On Jennette Street NW in Grand Rapids, Mary Ann and her older brother Dennis and younger siblings, Robert and Cheryl, grew up near Richmond Park, where they swam, biked, played kickball and tag. Oddly enough for a little girl who was given to mischief, Mary Ann was the only child who came in from playing outdoors and still be clean. She regularly tested the limits of her parents’ patience. For example, one holiday season, she tipped over the Christmas tree—decorations and all—not once but three times. Finally after the third calamity, her parents caught on to her shenanigans and no doubt concluded they had a quick-witted child on their hands.

Mary Ann was indeed a curious girl who liked to take things apart and whose mind was always working. She did very well in school, first at St. Anthony Elementary and then West Catholic High School, where she earned a place on the rolls of the National Honor Society and was a member of Glee Club. During the summer, she worked at Meijers’ Purple Cow café and babysat her cousins, a skill that would figure prominently in her career choices.

After graduating from high school in 1971, Mary Ann attended Mercy Nursing School in Cadillac, Michigan to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her first LPN job was with Kent Community Hospital, because she always felt that elderly and long term patients needed continuing care. Quite naturally, when she took a retirement buyout after 28 years at KCH, she began working in homecare with Healthcare Associates.

Hard working Mary Ann made sure she had fun in life. Her first major purchase as a career woman was a flashy, cream colored Camaro. She liked rough and tough Westerns—like Bonanza and Laredo or any movie that starred John Wayne—and the sharp wit of M.A.S.H. She collected American Indian artifacts, was a fan of San Francisco 49'ers football, liked dinner at Outback, and in her lifetime, traveled to the Grand Canyon, California, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Disney World. All the pleasures she enjoyed were enhanced when Mary Ann shared them with the man who would become her husband.

In the late 1970s, Mary Ann met Ronald Taylor at a family wedding in which she was part of the bridal party. Admittedly, sparks didn't fly at their first meeting, but a year or so later, Mary Ann and Ron were set up on a double date. They went to a movie, the first of many because they both liked Westerns. As they dated, their friendship grew into love and commitment, and the two were married at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on October 27, 1979. They settled into a home they purchased on Van Buren NW, across town from the hospital where Mary Ann worked second shift.

Mary Ann was always very close to her extended family of siblings and their children. They enjoyed frequent outings to such places as Cedar Pointe, where she mostly watched the little kids while others rode the rides. In 2002, she opted to do daycare for her great nephew and niece, Zach and Jessica. She also volunteered in their reading program at Zinser Elementary. What better way to share her love of family and books! For the past 15 years all the Centilli ladies would go out the day after Thanksgiving for some shopping. This was usually a 12+ hour event that always ended at TGIF for drinks. The other family tradition worth mentioning was every Sunday after Mass, the family would go to New Beginnings for breakfast.

Around the house, Mary Ann cooked and cleaned, paid the bills and took time out to work puzzles. She was a good cook and got the thumbs-up from Ron for her hamburgs, mac-n-cheese and her famous apple pies. Her own indulgences were chocolate, black licorice and any kind of beer or wine. Very little of her activities were curtailed when Mary Ann was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009. She didn’t let her illness slow her down or diminish her spirit. She was a determined woman who was forever concerned for the welfare of others.

Mary Ann (Centilli) Taylor, age 60, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Mercy Health Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clement and Wilfrieda Centilli; in-laws, Alfred and Clara Taylor; and brother-in-law, Richard Taylor. Mary Ann is survived by Ron, her husband of 33 years; siblings, Dennis (Brenda) Centilli, Robert (Laurie) Centilli, and Cheryl (Tom) Luce; brother-in-law, Tom (Cheryl) Taylor; sister-in-law, Mary Anne (Dave) Chulski; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Mary Ann was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, July 6, 2013. Friends may visit with her family on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, with a Rosary at 7 PM, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Contributions in her memory may be made to American Cancer Society or Edith C. Bigford Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read her lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook.