Lyn Taylor

Lyn Taylor was born Ethelyn April Gore on May 4, 1946, in Houston, Texas. She died on Aug. 5, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, of vascular dementia.  

Lyn was the first child born to John Lenox Gore and Pearl Louise Cantrell Gore. Her brothers Steve and Greg followed. They also had half-siblings from their parents’ earlier marriages.

When she was 6 years old, Lyn moved with her family to Anchorage, Alaska, then to Florida for a few years, and then back to Anchorage. She fondly recalled spending lots of time outdoors in Florida, swimming in the sun.

The family worked hard in Alaska, surviving the 1964 Alaska earthquake, operating an auto body shop as well as building and running Spruce Park Trailer Court, and managing dad John’s Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Lyn enjoyed her role as big sister and was protective of her younger brothers. She was very close with her youngest brother Greg, especially as adults. They both lived in Anchorage and enjoyed going out for breakfast and lunch, talking on the phone, and texting. Greg was a great support to her.

In 1965 Lyn married Steve Holland, whom she met in school in Anchorage, and had daughters Stephanie Holland (Chris Bouneff) and Denise Childs (Paul). She and Steve divorced, and she married Greek Taylor in 1979 in Anchorage. They had son Travis Taylor (Shenee). She and Greek divorced as well.

Lyn was extremely proud of her children as well as her grandchildren: Alexander and Elias Bouneff; Caitlyn, Emma, and Aubrie Childs; and Susitna and Ravenna Taylor.

Lyn is survived by all her kids and grandkids, as well as brothers Steve and Greg (Laura).

Though five hours away by car, she felt fortunate to live near Denise, Paul, Caitlyn, Emma and Aubrie in Alaska and in later life, just 15 minutes away in Idaho. She enjoyed spending time with them and appreciated all the help and support they gave her, especially as she got older.

In her younger years, Lyn enjoyed crocheting, taking guitar lessons, singing around the house, making raspberry jam, and reading. She liked to learn. She liked Mexican food, vegetables, and an occasional margarita. She took her kids to church, Sunday school, and youth group and also to piano and Tae Kwon Do lessons.

She was proud of her career at the National Park Service. She enjoyed her Spanish classes in school and thought she might have liked to be a Spanish teacher one day, though life took her in a different direction. In her later years, she enjoyed the companionship of her dog, walking, reading, going to church, and spending time with her family.