Mary Helen Arnspiger Taylor January 11, 1914-March 31,2008
Mary Helen Arnspiger Taylor and her twin sister, Bertha Jane Arnspiger Straus were seventh generation twins born on January 11,1914. Her father, Olen Arnspiger was a City of Medford Public Works Director. Her mother Helen, a teacher, was active in the Methodist church, and was a founding member of the Medford Garden Club and the PTA.
Mary attended Jackson Elementary School and Medford Senior High School. She was in the first class to graduate from what is now South Medford High School, and attended Southern Oregon Normal School in Ashland.
On October 17, 1937, she married Charles Samuel Taylor of Central Point. When they were down to their last 50 cents they had a party and then moved to the Oregon Vortex, near Gold Hill where they lived for the next 3-1/2 years. While there helping to develop the grounds of the geological attraction, they had two daughters, Phyllis Jean and Margaret Ruth. In 1942 they bought a pear orchard on Old Stage Road near Central Point where they lived and farmed for the rest of their lives.
Mary was a member of the Central Point Grange, Westside OSU Extension group, Willow Springs Community Club, The Good Sam, and was a founding member of the Crater Garden club. She was a 4-H leader encouraging young girls to sew and cook. During the 1960's, she worked at Harry & David's, in the office.
She is survived by daughters; Phyllis Gustafson (Richard), Margaret Rambo (George); five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Charles S. Taylor, twin sister, Bertha Straus, and younger sister, Francis Willett Caswell.
A funeral service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Chapel, Friday, April 4th, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Kurt Katzmar will officiate.
Donations can be made to Crater Foundation Scholarship Fund at Crater High School, P.O. Box 5172, Central Point, OR 97502.
Arrangements by Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford, Ore., 541-773-6162.
www.hillcrestmortuary.com