Joan Hertz Taylor

Joan Hertz Taylor, beloved daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on January 14, 2013, in Tyler, Texas, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Joan Rebecca Hertz was born to Charles Hertz and Aileen Burns Hertz in Tyler on August 10, 1935. Joan grew up in Tyler, attending Gary Elementary and Hogg Junior High and then graduating from Tyler High School in 1953. She attended The University of Texas, graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and the friendships she made at The University and in her sorority would remain strong for the rest of her life. Joan married Glenn Taylor on November 8, 1958. Joan was preceded in death by her father Charles Hertz, her mother Aileen Burns Hertz McBride, and her step-father, A.S. McBride. She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Glenn and by her children and grandchildren: son Tim Taylor and his wife Kathy, and their children, Timothy Charles Taylor, Jr., Kathryn Rebecca Taylor, Mary Elizabeth Taylor, and Claudia Anne Taylor; daughter Rebecca Taylor Scott and her husband Lee Scott, M.D.; and by daughter Diana Taylor Smith and her children Taylor Margaret Smith and Marshall King Smith. She is survived by her cousin whom she loved so much, Aileen Cieply and her husband Bill, and by many other friends and family. Joan was a devoted daughter, caring for her father before his death in 1968. She also cared lovingly for her mother Aileen during her last years. She was an extraordinary mother, making sure that her children were raised in the Church and that they were given all the opportunities that life could offer. And with her husband Glenn, Joan set an example of what it meant to serve one’s church and give back to one’s community. She was a true Southern lady, filled with grace and love. Joan’s civic involvement and leadership made Tyler a better and more beautiful place to live. She was president of the Junior League of Tyler, of the Marion Wilcox Junior Garden Club, of the Episcopal Church Women, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni, and the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club. She was also a member the Women’s Symphony League. Joan also served as trustee of All Saints Episcopal School. She chaired many galas in Tyler, including the Symphony Ball and the Tyler Rose Museum Winter Gala, and she was an active volunteer and leader in many other civic and charitable organizations in Tyler. The Texas Rose Festival was one of Joan’s greatest loves and she served in many capacities over decades of participation. Joan was a lady-in-waiting in 1954, the year her lifelong friend Joanne Miller Glass was queen. Joan chaired the Queen’s Ball, and also served as royalty chairman. Joan and Glenn’s love for the Rose Festival was highlighted by their daughter Becky’s participation as a Lady in Waiting in 1983 and then in 1984 when their daughter Diana was Rose Queen. Joan and Glenn were devoted leaders and volunteers in the Rose Festival, and Diana’s service as Queen was one of their proudest moments. The family wishes to give special thanks for the many people who cared for Joan the last few years, especially our beloved Carrie Curley, Tina Townsend, and Erika Valencia, as well as the nurses and doctors from Hospice of East Texas, in particular Pam Dean. Joan has been freed from the bondage of Alzheimer’s and has joined her parents in heaven. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church at 12:00 PM, Friday, January 18th, 2012 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family and Joan request that memorial contributions be made to Tyler Rose Museum, Humane Society of East Texas, Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, or The Hospice of East Texas.

Joan Hertz Taylor

August 10, 1935 - January 14, 2013