Mary Lee Taylor, 97, of Stronghurst, Illinois, went home to the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 17, 2026. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend.
Mary Lee was born on March 1, 1929, in Burlington, Iowa. She and her parents moved from their farm near Middletown, Iowa, to Media in 1938 when the government purchased the area for the Army Ammunition Plant. She attended grades 1 through 5 at Winnebago in Iowa, grades 5 through 8 at South Prairie near Media, grades 9 through 12 at Media Wever graduating in 1946. She attended Western Illinois University for two years studying Home Economics and Business. Her college experience was interrupted when she was hired to teach in the Fall of 1948 at Bald Bluff. She finished her degree in 1966 graduating from Monmouth College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Her teaching career was a picture of variety; Bald Bluff: Grades 1-8 where she met her husband, Earl, at a PTA gathering for students and their families. They married December 27, 1951, at the Media United Presbyterian Church; Smithshire: Grades 1-4; Media Wever: Grades 3, 4, and 8; Southern Unit #120: 5th grade math, girl’s P.E., girl’s track, and volleyball. Mary Lee retired from teaching in 1976. She began working as a career clerk for the U.S. Post Office in 1979 and retired in 1992.
Mary Lee was a member of the Media United Presbyterian Church. She was involved in many organizations including Women’s Missionary Society, Women’s Community Club, HCE, and Oakwood Bible Study. She kept very busy with a variety of activities: reading, traveling, word searches, gardening, painting, crafting, playing cards, spending time with friends, and spending time with family.
Mary Lee was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her husband’s parents, and 8 of her husband’s siblings who were like brothers and sisters to Mary Lee since she was an only child, her daughter-in-law Diana, and one great-granddaughter, Gabriella Zanger.
Mary is survived by her son, Craig Taylor, her daughter, Debbie; grandchildren, Wendy Ell, Brent Kennedy (Chris), Jade (Dustin) Parker, Paige (Quinn) Leath, Jace Taylor, and Julianna (Jordan) Zanger; great-grandchildren, Alec, Christian, Rowan, Londyn, Easton, Brooks, Brittyn, Paxton, Pierce, Taylor, and Madison; great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved cat, Donnie.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2026 in the Walnut Grove Cemetery, near Media, IL. Friends may call as they desire from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The family will not be present. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to Oakwood Estates Assisted Living Center in Stronghurst, or the Media Community Presbyterian Church. Please visit Mary Lee’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave an online condolence.
