Nola Atkinson Taylor Obituary (1943

Nola Taylor was born on June 4, 1943 in Malad, Idaho, to Melvin and Pauline Atkinson. She was the 4th of 5 children, with 3 sisters (Irene, Shirley, and Ruth) and 1 brother (Wayne). After spending her childhood in Malad, Idaho, her family moved to Provo, when her father, Melvin, purchased the Provo Western Motel. They worked together as a family to make the motel a success. Nola was blessed with many talents and gifts. She began playing piano at an early age and excelled from the very beginning. She also learned to play the organ, and at age 13 was asked to be the organist for her ward. During her teenage years she accompanied a variety of choirs for church and school, including a choir consisting of 300 members. Her organ skills later caught the attention of Robert Taylor, the most popular boy at Provo High School. She was a shy and timid 9th grader, he was Student Body President. Robert saw Nola playing organ in church and he knew that there was something special about her. Soon after, he sought her out at the ward Gold and Green ball and after dancing together much of the night, he approached her father to ask if he could take her home. After receiving reluctant approval, he took her home in his 1949 Ford and their courtship had officially begun. Robert proposed to Nola 5 days after returning home from a 2 ½ year mission to Holland. For the proposal, he chose a spot with a perfect view of the full moon, high on the hill that, unbeknownst to him, later became the site for the Provo Temple. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 14, 1963, by Spencer W. Kimball, and were together for more than 55 years. Nola’s greatest joys in life came with her children and grandchildren. She loved nothing more than spending time with them, making gifts for them with her amazing sewing and crafting talents, and cooking delicious family dinners for groups so large that people were seated all over her house. She carried on the candy making and chocolate dipping tradition started by her mother, Pauline, and helped pass it down to her daughters and granddaughters. In addition to the demanding job of wife, mother, and homemaker, Nola spent 18 years working for the Utah State University Extension in Utah County. She worked with 3 county directors, 4 extension specialists, and multiple county agents. She was an invaluable member of that organization until she retired in 2008. Upon her retirement, she received a special accolade from the President of the university recognizing her talents, dedication to the job, and the positive impact of her service. Nola’s lifelong membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped mold her into the person she was. She cherished her testimony of the Savior, her eternal marriage, and the fellowship and friendship that came from serving alongside fellow church members. She served in various church callings in the music, Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations, including time as the Stake Relief Society President at a BYU stake. Her service for others reached far beyond church assignments. She was always willing to help when she could, even while suffering through her own health challenges. She will be remembered for her kindness, her friendship, humility, and perseverance and will be greatly missed. Nola was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Irene Gage; and her beloved poodle, Tilly. She is survived by her husband, Robert Taylor; her siblings, Shirley Beagley, Wayne Atkinson, and Ruth Kendrick; her 5 children and spouses, Susan and Mike LaHargoue, Annette and Kurt Flygare, Alan and Kim Taylor, Paul and Stacey Taylor, and Jennifer and Brad Crowther; and 18 beloved grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Bonneville 13th Ward Chapel, 1498 East 800 South, Provo, Utah. Friends can visit with the family Thursday, January 10, at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Friday from 9:50-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. To view the full obituary and to leave condolences for the family, please go to www.bergmortuary.com.