Mary Lou Taylor

Dr. Mary Lou Taylor, 88, passed peacefully November 8, 2019 in the arms or her loving husband of almost 64 years, Allen G. Taylor.

Mary Lou was born in Springfield, Missouri September 19, 1931 to Mary Etta and Floyd Robards.  She attended Drury University attaining a degree in Biology while also earning her Degree in Nursing from Springfield Baptist Hospital.  Christmas Eve, 1955, she married the love of her life, Allen Taylor.  They resided in Kansas City where she was the Director of Nursing Education at Trinity Lutheran Hospital.  She earned her Master Degree from the University Of Missouri Kansas City in 1963.  In 1970 she started the nursing program at Johnson County Community College, where she was Director of Nursing, later becoming the Science Division Director and then Dean of Instruction.  During this time she also earned her PhD from Kansas State University.  Mary Lou was a force for good for young professional women.  She set high standards and assisted individuals to reach them.  When a person was able to meet her standards, they knew they could make it in the world.  Mary Lou served  on numerous Boards and Committees throughout her career including the Kansas State Board of Nursing, the National League for Nursing, the American Nursing Association and was a highly sought after speaker in health care.  She served on the Board of Trustees at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Advent Health, for 23 years, also serving on the Board of Trustees of Faith Village.

Dr. Taylor retired as Dean from Johnson County Community College in 1990, and the following year she was elected to the Board of Trustees serving from 1991-1995.

In retirement Mary Lou and Allen enjoyed living at Lake of the Ozarks and in Nixa, Missouri, moving back to Johnson County in 2015.

Dr.  Taylor created value wherever she went and was always a force for good.  She will be missed by her husband Allen, her sweet four legged baby Ralph and many close friends who love her dearly.  She is survived by her husband Allen, of the home and cousin James Robards of Columbia, South Carolina.

Memorial service 11:00 am Thursday November 14, 2019 at Hillcrest Christian Church, 11411 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66210. Private burial immediately following.  Memorial donations to Hillcrest Christian Church.