Holla Holly Jane Taylor Dowhaniuk

Our beloved angel, Holla (Holly) Jane Taylor Dowhaniuk, died peacefully of natural causes on March 27th, 2012, at the age of 82, surrounded by her family. She spoke lovingly with family members who were with her. She passed away while under the care of the excellent staff at Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah.
She had a full beautiful life. Holly was the twelfth of thirteen children born to Willie James and Hannah Electa Wood Taylor on December 31, 1929, in Springville, Utah. During the late fall and winter months, her loving parents raised her in their Springville home, from which she attended public schools into her tenth grade of high school. Early spring and until after harvests, Holly moved with her family each year to the Taylor Ranch in Wanrhodes Canyon next to Diamond Fork Canyon. Holly was taught to be an excellent daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, homemaker and worker by her much loved family. From her parents, brothers and sisters, she learned about herbal and natural healing, gardening, farming and ranching. She was very proud that at a young age, she learned to shoot a rifle from the hip with bulls eye accuracy. Later, after marriage, her husband, Anton, taught her about gun sights. Holly always laughed that it would take her many years to gain the precise aim she had formerly been able to make with her hip shots when she used gun sights. Her brothers and sisters names are Luther (Lila) Brake, Bessie Brake Isabell, Electa (Ron) Clark, Edith (Earl) Baum, Clarence (LeOra) Taylor, Mark (Bernice) Taylor, Vern (Lois) Taylor, Hannah Taylor, Merlene (Scott) Beardall, Maryan (Cornice) Cain, Ralph (Chris) Taylor and Duane (Loretta) Taylor. Her brother Duane, is her only surviving sibling.
January 11, 1947, she was married to Anton Dowhaniuk in her parents' Springville home. Her marriage to Anton was later solemnized in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. Anton passed away in June of 2001. Our Heavenly Father blessed Holly with sweet spiritual wisdom and laughter which she shared often through out her life with family and friends. Holly valued her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She held a consistent testimony which she shared with her family and close friends. She always praised and appreciated the kind loving efforts and services so many members of the Church gave to her and her family.
Babies and children of all ages held a special spot in Holly's soft heart. Anton and Holly cared for many children over the years, adding to their own eight, seven still living, children: Linda Joy (Richard/Dick) Marchant, Las Animas, Colorado; Larry Douglas (Deanna) Dowhaniuk, Salem, Utah; Sherry Kay (Darrell) Lucas, Las Animas, Colorado; Teresa Jane Darling Smith, Springville, Utah; Brenda Sue (Jim) Miner, Springville, Utah; Darla Jan Dowhaniuk, Springville, Utah; and Christee Janene (Steven) Moon, Springlake, Utah. Aaron Dowhaniuk proceeded both parents in death. At the time of her passing, Holly had eighteen grandchildren and twenty nine great grandchildren. Some of these children also proceeded Holly's death. Holly loved her own extended family as well as her husband's family throughout her life. She had a wealth of life-long friends from all over the world. Her friends loved Holly as if they were all members of the same family.
Holly's red hair gave her a fiery personality. Full of life, Holly enjoyed many loves, interests, and hobbies which included: crocheting, sewing, crafts and making quilts; flowers, gardening, the outdoors, camping, fishing and hunting, driving automobiles and riding motorcycles; exploring new and old historical places, rock and arrowhead hunting and collecting, collecting old coins, antiques,and treasure hunting; learning about current events and scientific discoveries, politics, finding and selling night crawlers; teaching, planning and holding family reunions; music, accordion playing, art, drawing, oil painting, making and doll collecting. She did receive much positive recognition and awards for her work, interests, and hobby projects.
As a young woman, Holly earned money baby sitting, housekeeping, cooking, and working as a waitress and work in the local cannery. Later, she worked with the elderly and disabled as a nursing assistant. For many years, she enjoyed her volunteer work and employment with COPE (Committee on Political Education) for AFL/CIO Unions of the State of Utah. She attended several training and educational work-shops in different states. With her sister, Electa, as her partner, H-E (Holly- Electa) Night Crawlers was founded. They, along with many children and adult comrades, caught and sold night crawlers at the mouths of Provo and Spanish Fork Canyons. Electa and Holly promised their "H-E" homegrown night crawlers could catch the biggest and best tasting fish.
The Taylor Reunions were held up Wanrhodes Canyon near the former Taylor ranch. It continues to be held every summer for three days, as it has for almost thirty years. Holly loved these reunions and spent many hours each year helping with plans, arrangements, crafts, and homemade quilts for the next reunion. Due to her and other people's efforts the reunions include renowned, unbelievable, exciting activities enjoyed by children of all ages.
Holly was indeed loved by everyone young and old, lucky enough to include her in their lives. She made each person she was with feel special. We will miss her, but her laughter and footprints are engraved on our hearts.
Come join us in celebrating her life. Funeral services will be held at the LDS Third Ward Church, 555 South 600 East, Springville, Utah, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 11:00a.m. Viewing will be held at the same location April 3, 2012, at 6:00 - 8:00p.m. and April 4, 2012, at 9:00-10:30a.m.
Donations in lieu of flowers appreciated.