Holly Taylor-Garcia

Holly Taylor-Garcia of Mahopac, NY passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2025; at the age of 41. Although she experienced daily abdominal pain, she never let it interfere with her zest for life. Born on Christmas Eve,1983, in Carmel, NY, she was the daughter of David Taylor and Maria (née Oliva) Rivera. David predeceased her in 2015.
Holly was well educated and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a minor in Psychology and Sociology. Her passion was studying medical and psychological beliefs of varying cultures and health issues within those cultures. Her love for scripture was evident in her acceptance into a distance master's program to study Cultural Anthropology and Religions of Various Cultures. She read her Bible every day and studied scripture to understand how to apply it to her life. She was thankful to the Lord for her salvation, and the Lord was the only thing more important in her life than her son Troy, born on Thanksgiving Day in 2012, who she loved passionately. She loved that they were both born on special holidays! When friends would offer a positive comment about Troy, Holly would smugly say "Thank you, I made him myself"!
Holly enjoyed collecting seashells and shot glasses, and her favorite color was pink; as anyone who observed the coordination of her wardrobe is aware! She had an inquisitive mind, constantly learning and engaging in activities that challenged her. She used to love having "secret sleepovers" on the couch in the living room with Troy, each of them on opposite ends of the lounge recliner with Sweetie (Holly and Troy's dog) nestled between them. The fun was often interrupted by Leona (Troy's cat) hopping up on the couch and beating Sweetie on the head with her mean left jab! Holly was an avid shopper, and we may soon experience a recession without her economic stimulation of the economy (an ongoing joke we always had, where Holly would say she "was just doing her part!")
Holly is survived by her incredible son Troy, and his father Daniel, her mother and stepfather Maria & Jose Rivera, her brother Anthony Taylor, his wife Jacquie, and their children AJ, Billy, and Rosie.
All are welcome to attend a visitation on Tuesday, July 15th from 5-8PM at the Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home in Mahopac, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 16th at 10AM at St. John The Evangelist Church, also in Mahopac. Interment will follow at Ballard Barrett Cemetery in Mahopac Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Holly's name to The Samaritan's Purse (flood relief), as Holly was assisting her son Troy and his scout troop to organize a flood fund raiser for this organization that uses 90% of funds raised towards helping victims of disasters.
Internet hyperlink for The Samaritan's Purse:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/deadly-flooding-hits-central-texas/?utm_source=Ggl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YGTF-B25V&utm_content=texas-flood-lp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=68852315&gbraid=0AAAAAD2XO8d1_HR6CRI8OIGiO_uhLgmpS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9-O2qKO4jgMV5GZHAR1JRwHDEAAYASAAEgJjwvD_BwE