Vera Bernice (Stutesman) Taylor was born in Guide Rock, Nebraska, on May 18, 1920, to Clarence and Nellie (Shidler) Stutesman and passed away on April 7, 2022, in her Burbank home of 63 years.
Vera’s family moved to California, living in Visalia and Salinas before moving to North Hollywood, where she graduated from high school in 1937. She loved sports and played field hockey, soccer and basketball, and was the president of the girl’s athletic association.
She met her future husband, Glenn Darrell Taylor, in high school and they were married on November 17, 1939, at Burbank Foursquare Church (now Media City Church), where they remained a vital part of the congregation throughout their 75 years of marriage.
Predeceased by her sister, Mildred, Vera is survived by her four grateful children, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, who all miss and love their Gram.
The ANDERSONS: Marti (Taylor) and her husband, Ralph, Kevin and Mark Harvey, Bill and Shelley, Dylan, Trent and Jordyn.
The HIGGINS: Christine (Taylor) and her husband, Morgan, Jon & Linda, Randy, Erik, Chase, Jill and Gary Pennington, Noel, and Rory.
The CAPPOCCHIS: Joan (Taylor) and her husband, Ray, Aaron, Anna, Jared, Julia and David Cooper, Samuel, Brennan, Luella and Matteo
The TAYLORS: Darrell Taylor and his wife, Patricia, Jonathan and Jennie, Dale, Callahan, and Bernadette, Joel & Kim, Penny and Emmett, Brooke, Marlee and Sailor, McCauley, and Hayley and Brandon Herrera.
Like most of the women of her era, Vera took care of her home, raising children and actively supporting them in school, church and outside activities. She was a welcoming hostess, opening her home and pool for Glenn’s business and community functions, their friends and neighbors, church gatherings for all ages, family reunions, birthday dinners and holidays.
She was kind and loving, talented and creative, sewing school clothes and Easter outfits, crocheting baby blankets and quilts, taking millinery and oil painting classes, and often writing personal notes and letters to friends and family.
Grandchildren were not allowed through the front door until they were greeted with a hug, kiss and warm wonderful smile from their Gram. Behind the scenes, she could often be found supporting her church, family, friends and neighbors. She lived her Christian faith in all she said and did. Thinking about all these things brings to mind the many occasions that her four children were proud to say, “That’s my mom.”
Vera was interred at Valhalla Memorial Park in a private family burial, and everyone is invited to a memorial gathering to honor her life on Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. in Taylor Hall at Media City Church, 269 E. Providencia Ave. Burbank, California. We hope to see you there.
