Joyce Phipps Taylor passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2013. She was born on Nov. 27,1923, in the British Consulate in Tamsui, Taiwan, where her father was British Consul. Joyce attended school in Hawaii, Japan, Korea and England. During World War II, she worked in hospitals in London with buzz bombs flying overhead and exploding here and there. Due to a long friendship between the Taylor and Phipps families, when Mary Linley Taylor needed to return to Korea just before Christmas in 1948, Mrs. Phipps invited Mary's son, Bruce, to spend Christmas with her family in England. There, Joyce and Bruce, who had met in Korea, became engaged and were married two years later in England. After a honeymoon in Britain, they moved to California, bought a house, joined a local Episcopal church and sang in its choir. This led to the Marin Chorale and then to singing with the Presbyterian Seminary choir in San Anselmo. Joyce also joined a group that played recorders, an ancient, flute-like instrument that she enjoyed for many years. In time two children, Peter and Jennifer, were born in San Francisco. The Taylor family resided in Corte Madera and then moved to Lake County for a few years before settling in Santa Rosa. It was there that Joyce met a former nurse from Korea who was conducting a course for training L.V.N.s. Joyce took the course, trained and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She worked at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for 19 years and became very involved volunteering for Canine Companions. In 1993, Joyce and Bruce moved to Mary's former home in Mendocino with a beautiful view of Big River Bay. Joyce joined the Study Club, the Redwoods Choir, the Mendocino Land Trust, and very consistently worked at the local library and the soup kitchen. She and Bruce traveled extensively throughout their retirement to England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Kauai and Alaska. Joyce was adored by her family and was a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her husband, Bruce, who is presently writing a book about her life, "Joyce, the British Consul-General's Daughter," and by their children, Peter and Jennifer Taylor. There was a celebration of Joyce's life at the home of her daughter Jennifer Taylor in Mendocino on September 14th. In lieu of flowers please make a donation the the Mendocino Community Library or Canine Companions of Santa Rosa. .

Published Online in the Press Democrat from Sept. 29 to Sept. 30, 2013
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