Nain Taylor was born on July 22, 1924, in Phoenix, Arizona. The third of three girls, Nain was raised by her father, Louis John Taylor, and her stepmother, Ida Mae Kinkaid. As a teenager, she developed a deep love for horses. Nain and her sister Olive would often ride out into the desert on long, hot Phoenix nights.
Nain graduated from high school in Phoenix right at the start of World War II. She attended the University of Arizona before transferring over to the University of Southern California to obtain her B.S. degree in nursing, as well as her nursing license. Upon her graduation on June 12, 1948, Nain worked at the VA in Palo Alto, California. In 1964, Nain helped found the RN nursing program at Fresno City College, and she obtained her master's degree in 1970. She worked as part of the faculty at Fresno City College until her retirement in 1984.
While working in Palo Alto, Nain met her husband, Robert W. Young. They married at a cousin's home in Fresno, California, and after a honeymoon in Palm Springs, the couple decided to settle in Fresno, where her sister Olive and her husband lived.
In 1964, Nain, Robert, and their family moved to the countryside, where she raised horses, cows, chickens, ducks, and sheep. She also had dogs and cats.
Nain and Robert’s children grew up in the country. On summer vacations, they camped at Huntington Lake or traveled across the country in a truck and a camper. Their travels took them to Canada, the Calgary Stampede, Vermont, and Maine.
She traveled extensively throughout the U.S. with her husband, and after his death, she continued to travel to visit her scattered family. Nain even checked off hers and Robert’s bucket list with a family cruise to Alaska. Nain rode horses all the way up until the age of 85 years, and she actively cared for her horse up until this past winter. She loved animals and would adopt all the strays that wandered onto her property. She spent 60 years in the country, and she enjoyed all that she had.
Nain's family has asked that any donations made in her honor go out to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), or to the Susan G. Komen Women's Breast Cancer Foundation by following the links listed below.
Nain's family would like to extend their most sincere thanks to everyone who has reached out to offer love and support during this difficult time.
