Carolyn Elizabeth Taylor

Carolyn Elizabeth Taylor passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at her assisted living residence in Corvallis, Oregon. She was 89.

Carolyn was born in Parkerville, Kansas on August 31, 1929 to Ula and Carey Greiner. It was the Dust Bowl days in Kansas, so in 1941 the family moved from Kansas to Gresham, Oregon, where her father started working in the fruit industry. Eventually, Carolyn's father got a job at the aluminum plant and the family faced more prosperous times. While in Gresham High School, Carolyn was introduced to her future husband, Bob, by her best friend Ruth Taylor. Bob happened to be Ruth's older brother, and best friends became sisters-in-law in 1946. After they were married, Bob and Carolyn purchased some land next to Bob's parent's place and began farming. A little after two years later their first son Ron was born in 1949. They had a second son, Rick, in 1951. Now their family was complete and Bob began selling farm equipment. Eventually, Carolyn and Bob sold the farm and moved near Carver, OR so Bob could begin developing land for housing in Orient, Oregon with Carolyn's brother, Ken Greiner. The family then moved into one of the houses within the development and that became the pattern each time they built a new housing development.

In 1976 Bob and Carolyn along with their business partners, Frank and Myrna Eisenzimmer built the Gresham Court Club on Division Street and Carolyn managed the Food Court within the Club. At this time Carolyn also became an artist and sold many of her oil paintings in the club. Eventually they sold their half of Gresham Court Club to the Eisenzimmers which then became the Cascade Court Club. Over the years Carolyn and Bob married and divorced three times with their final divorce occurring in 1980.

Carolyn is survived by her son, Rick Taylor and wife, Ginny, of Corvallis and four grandchildren: granddaughter Anna and husband Brett Weidemiller of Gold Beach, OR, grandson Robert Eli Taylor and wife Amanda of Sherwood, OR, granddaughter Caitlin Taylor of Las Vegas, Nevada, and grandson Rand Taylor of Corvallis. She also is survived by five great-grandchildren: Taylor Weidemiller, Rylee Weidemiller, Hailey Taylor, Madison Taylor, and Roen Taylor as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Barbara Greiner.

She was preceded in death by her son Ron Taylor, brothers Ken and Dean Greiner, sisters Evelyn Christensen and Virginia Gherke, and brothers-in-law, Austin Christensen and Dave Gherke.

Carolyn was a volunteer, donating her time at Vista House in the Columbia Gorge and later to the Senior Center in Corvallis where she moved in 1999 to be close to family. She still continued her love of art by later creating beautiful beaded jewelry and gorgeous scrapbooks. Gardening was enjoyed by Carolyn and her gardens were just as beautiful as her artwork. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was devoted to them. Carolyn will be greatly missed by her family and friends.