Rita Taylor

The gardens in Heaven just got a little prettier and a little more colorful. Avid gardener and friend to all, Marietta (Rita) Fay Taylor (96) passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 14, 2025, after a long and happy life. Rita, who was born in Corvallis to Chester James Cosgrove and Mildred C. Cosgrove (Bayless) and raised in Kings Valley, spent much of her time later in life gathering with friends to do aerobics or tending to her beloved lilacs, peonies and roses in her backyard. She loved sharing that beauty with friends and family. As a child, Rita attended Kings Valley schools until the high school closed. She graduated from Philomath High School in 1945. During her time in Kings Valley, she worked in the office of a logging company and gained experience in accounting. Soon after graduation, she moved to Corvallis where she worked at a local bank and department store. On June 2, 1946, Rita married the love of her life, Roy Junior Taylor. As a new bride, Rita joined her husband to run the Colorado Lake Amusement Park in Linn County. That park brought good times both to Oregon State College students and the soldiers at Camp Adair. A few years later, the young couple sold the business, and Roy started his construction business, focusing on residential homes. Always by his side, Rita took on the bookkeeping and payroll for the rapidly growing business. In 1949, their daughter Karen was born, and Rita added caring for her young daughter to her already busy daily schedule. Rita was devoted to her daughter and even led the Bluebird and Campfire Girls groups for their neighborhood. The two built a beautiful relationship that lasted into adulthood. Roy and Rita shared many hobbies together — boating, touring, and traveling. Over the years, they spent many weekends visiting the lakes across Oregon and going on Model-A car tours. Together, they belonged to the Enduring As of Albany and the Historic Auto Club of Corvallis. They also loved to dance together — at least Rita loved to dance — square dancing was her specialty. When Roy struggled learning the steps, Rita, determined that she would have a dance partner, spent many evenings teaching her husband to dance. Karen even got in on the fun — dancing all around the family room over and over again showing her father the correct steps. As their marriage and family strengthened, so did their construction business. It continued to grow and eventually moved to commercial construction. With Karen growing up, Rita returned to the business and her accounting skills grew, as did her ability to keep track of Roy, who was constantly running all over town expanding his business. The church was always a central part of their lives. Both were baptized and became members of the Calvin Presbyterian church. As well as Rita serving as a deacon in the church. Rita was preceded in death by her parents and Roy. She is survived by her daughter Karen L. Taylor Logan; granddaughter Michele L. Lilleboe (Jason), great grandsons Hayden Jayson Lilleboe, and Lucas Taylor Lilleboe all of Austin TX; grandson Toney Michael Logan Jr., (Valarie), great grandsons Toney Kade Michael Logan III, and Maximillian Taylor Logan, and great granddaughter Marlee Ann Logan all of Corvallis; sister Marilyn Elaine Sims, and nieces Teri Stafford (Randy) and Pam Lamb all from Newport, Oregon. The celebration of life and reception for family and friends will take place at 2:30 p.m. February 3 at the Stoneybrook Clubhouse. Immediate family graveside services will be held at Crystal Lake Cemetery on February 3, 2025. If desired, charitable donations in her memory should be made to the charity of your choice.

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Rita Taylor

July 9, 1928 - January 14, 2025