Dolores Madrid Taylor

Dolores Madrid Taylor, 77, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, surrounded by those who loved her deeply. She was born on March 10, 1948, in Price, Utah, to Sam and Adeline Madrid. Dolores was the sixth of fourteen children in a close-knit family where faith, creativity, responsibility, and service were part of everyday life.

Dolores attended Notre Dame High School. In 1966, she married and later welcomed two children, Kym and Tom, whom she loved fiercely and with unwavering devotion. Later in life, Dolores discovered true companionship and enduring love with Jerry Taylor, whom she married on March 20, 2002. Their 23 years together were filled with joy, connection, prayer, and humor. They lovingly referred to themselves as “Lucy and Ricky,” a lighthearted reflection of their playful dynamic.

Dolores worked for the State of Utah for 30 years, where she was admired for her steady professionalism, gentle humor, and genuine desire to help those around her until her retirement.

A lifelong artist, Dol expressed beauty through pen sketching, watercolor, and many crafts, but most notably through crochet. She could create anything—from delicate lace and playful clothing to rich heirloom blankets and intricate designs. Her handmade pieces were treasured by family and friends, each one carrying her love, patience, and prayerful intention.

Dolores held a deep admiration for Native American culture and art, especially its symbolism, spirituality, storytelling, and connection to her Apache heritage and the land. Whenever she would get angry, she would blame it on “The Apache” in her when the moment was over and the mood became lighter. She also found joy in salsa and western dancing and was always light on her feet.

She was a lover of fantasy and science fiction, delighting in stories of distant worlds, imaginative futures, mythic journeys, and tales of magic and resilience. Books, films, and television series became cherished escapes—places where creativity thrived and possibility felt limitless.

Travel remained a meaningful source of discovery for Dol, and one of the most memorable experiences of her life was visiting Fiji with Jerry, tracing the ocean journeys of Jerry’s father. The trip deepened her appreciation for culture, history, and the sacred importance of storytelling across generations.

A woman of faith, Dolores believed deeply in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout her life she participated in many church activities and found peace and belonging in spiritual music, scripture study, and fellowship. Each day she and Jerry prayed and read the Bible together, sustaining one another with devotion, gratitude, and grace.

Dolores is preceded in death by her beloved son, Tom, whose memory remained close to her heart every day of her life. 

She is survived by her loving husband Jerry, her daughter Kym, and her stepchildren: Lisa (Lee), Cindy (Jimmy), Shane (Trina), and Tina, all of whom she cared for and welcomed into her heart.

“Nana,” as she was affectionately known, is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Ashley, Kaycee, Jerica, Danika, Travis, Tessa, Indiana, Mercedes, Lexus, Paige, Caden, Owen, Acacia, and Lilly, along with their extended families and children, each of whom she deeply loved and celebrated. She held every one of them in her prayers, her stories, and her heart, always proud of their lives, their achievements, and the families they have built.

She is further survived by her siblings: Loretta, Randy, Colleen, Ray, and Anthony, her sister in law Beverly, wife of brother Sonny, with whom she shared lifelong bonds, countless memories, and a heritage of love, faith, and family traditions.

Dolores will be remembered for her kindness, artistic spirit, unwavering faith, and her devotion to her family. She lived with quiet resilience, incredible strength, generosity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms—from nature and art to handmade crafts and the limitless worlds of imagination. Her legacy continues through those she loved, the art she created, and the faith she modeled.

She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered.

A funeral service will be on Friday, December 12,2025 at 3:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, with a Celebration of Dolores’s Life to follow from 4:00–6:00 pm. Where friends and family may gather and share memories of her. Guests are encouraged to park and enter on the north side of the building.