Lila Taylor

1929 - 2025

Lila Taylor

1929 - 2025

- Lila Fay Cannaday Taylor, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away August 27th 2025 at the age of 95.

Lila was born on October 6, 1929, in Barnwell, Alberta, Canada, to Doris Ethel Kendall and Edwin Avery Cannaday. Growing up as the eighth of nine children in a small town, she learned the values of gratitude and hard work early in life. Her mother passed away when she was just three years old and her father later married again. Lila worked in the Taber Cannery, the Barnwell Store, and was the Postmistress for a couple of summers. Her fondest memories of that time were working with her friends in fields of tomatoes, beans, onions, and corn.

At the age of 17, Lila was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Cardston Alberta Temple. She moved from Barnwell to Salt Lake City and spent her senior year at West High School. After graduation, she attended the University of Utah and then the Salt Lake Area Vocational School where she was part of the second graduating class of vocational nurses.

Lila met David Smith Taylor at a church function and later became better acquainted with him at the old County Hospital where they both worked. David had completed his mission to Hawaii, graduated from the University of Utah, and was working in the hospital's lab before pursuing his degree in dentistry. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 7, 1951.

Lila's dedication to her faith was evident in her church service, where she enjoyed serving in many roles, including Relief Society, Primary and as a den leader, which she loved. She served in the Young Women program and could be found on overnight hikes carrying her big green backpack right along with the young women. She knew that the experiences she had were for her growth and appreciated the teachings of the Church.

Lila will be remembered by friends and family alike for her delicious treats. Her home was always filled with her caramels, fudge, cookies, and pies. Her homemade ice cream was the best. She found joy in baking, sewing and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. For the last 57 years her home has been in Holladay, Utah.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David Smith Taylor, her son Kent LeRoy and her grandson Austin Taylor. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marjorie Taylor Sharp, six of her seven children: Jeanette (Paul) Throndsen, David (Paula) Taylor, Ann (Mark) Bowen, Carolyn (Spence) Christensen, Traci Taylor (daughter-in-law) and (Shawn) Koplin, Laura (Diego) Alvarez, and Ronald (Alex) Taylor. Lila and David's legacy includes 30 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

A viewing will be held on Saturday September 13th from 10:00 until 11:00 am at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street Murray Utah. Following this a graveside service will be held at noon at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all those at Spring Gardens Care Center in Holladay for the wonderful care they gave her these past several years.