Bonnie Jeanne Taylor

Bonnie Jeanne Reaves Taylor, 84, passed away on June 1, 2021, in Mesa, Arizona.  She was born May 10, 1937 to Bernard Jackson Reaves and Margaret Jane Cardon in Tucson, Arizona.  She grew up in El Paso, Texas where she attended Austin High School.  She went on from there to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from BYU and taught second grade for several years.  On September 11, 1957, Bonnie married her childhood friend, Robert Lloyd Taylor, in the Mesa Arizona Temple, and they were fortunate to have celebrated over 63 years together.  After moving around to a few different places while Robert worked his way through dental school and military service, they settled in Tempe to raise their four children, Kathleen Jeannette Taylor Banister (Christian), David Alan Taylor, Michelle Taylor Bailey (Curt) and Michael Lloyd Taylor (Michelle).  After the kids were raised, they retired to Gilbert, Arizona.

Bonnie led an active life filled with family and friends and didn’t mind the occasional spotlight.  She was the lead majorette at her high school.  At BYU, she was a Cougarette and sang in the BYU Opera Workshop Chorus.  Later, she performed with the Sweet Adelines singing group.  She was a good cook and never shied away from a “useful gadget” on QVC.  She loved making enchiladas and Texas sheet cake and passed this love on to her kids and grandkids.  She faithfully served in many church callings including a fulltime mission in Palmyra, New York with her eternal companion.

Bonnie loved traveling all over the world.  She visited Germany, England, Hawaii, and eventually took her dream trip to Israel.  She also loved their family trips to Lake Powell and the beaches of California.  Robert and Bonnie loved cruising and taking trips to New England.

Bonnie especially loved spending time with her nine grandchildren, Max Banister and Anika Banister (Kathleen); Amanda Taylor (David); Kayla MacNeille, Taylor Bailey, and Tori Clouse (Michelle); Emily Udall, Macy Taylor, and Avery Taylor (Michael); and her two great-grandchildren, Cannon and Bailee MacNeille.  Without question, her favorite thing to do with this cast of characters was to watch them perform Must Be Santa each year at the family Christmas party.  The kids always complained but she knew they loved it!

We love her, and she will be sorely missed, but we are happy for her reunion with her parents and those others who preceded her.

There will be a viewing held on Friday, June 11, 2021, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 3572 E Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85234.  The funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, June 12, at the same church building, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at 9:00am.  Interment will be at the Mesa Cemetery.  The family is grateful for the reverence and respect that Bunker Family Funerals has had for Bonnie in their care.  Flowers are welcome and may be sent to their Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.  If you would rather make a donation, please do so to a charity or organization of your choosing in her behalf.