Joy Alison Taylor

Joy Alison Taylor, age 45, of La Mesa, California, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024. Joy was born June 8, 1979 to Alan and Andrea Taylor. She is survived by her mother Andrea Taylor, her brother Derek Taylor, sister-in-law Shannon Taylor, niece Maggie Taylor, and nephew Nathan Taylor.

Joy was independent and opinionated with a strong-willed, trail-blazing spirit. She lived her life saying what she meant and meaning what she said. She went out into the world knowing exactly who she was and pursued what she wanted with ferocious bravery and perseverance.

Joy was a nature enthusiast, an educator, and a born leader. After spending much of her childhood being outdoors, playing with plants and curious about animals, she studied wildlife and biological sciences in college and began her career as a science teacher. She gravitated into leadership as a Principal, working her way up to become Regional Director of Federal and State Programs of Learn4Life Charter Schools. She proudly and passionately poured herself into her work.

As a natural, spicy redhead, all of Joy’s passions were palpable to all who were blessed to know her. She loved photography, tea, gardening, milkshakes, and frozen gummy bears. She loved her soul-dog Mister and the sleepy support she got from her canine companion Levi. She loved warm, comfortable conversations with her brother, sleepovers and talking soccer with her niece, watching horror movies with her sister-in-law, playtime with her nephew, soulful talks and delicious snacks with her best friend Jessica, and traveling to far-off places with her mother. She was curious about the world and spent every free moment exploring and breathing in as much of this life as she could possibly fit into it.

She decorated her home with meaningful and sacred family artifacts. She could tell you the sentiment and story behind every single framed picture and piece of furniture. She had a cherished and extensive library, believing “You are never alone with a book in your hands.” Somehow she always knew exactly the book you needed to read next and was happy to send you home with her copy.

Her favorite book, Alicia: My Story, is an autobiographical account of a young woman who defied odds and survived the Holocaust using her own strategy and cunning, hiding in fields and barns, disguising herself in plain sight, with an absolute resilience and will to survive.

And that was Joy. She lived with absolute resilience and a will to survive.

Joy truly lived every moment of her life. She lived honestly and earnestly. She found solace in nature, she found refuge in human connection, she found joy in looking for the good in the world, even in the parts that were hard.

Joy was a light in this world. For all who love her, she continues to sparkle in the lichen and leaves of ancient trees, magical sunsets, and in the flutters of hummingbirds we meet along our paths.

Reception to follow the service at Joy’s house. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation for glioblastoma brain cancer research in memory of Joy Taylor.