TAGGART, Mary

David's Desert Chapel Funeral Home, Wickenburg, Arizona Mary M. Taggart passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family in Wickenburg Arizona on April 6th, 2011 after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She was the third of seven children to Joseph Miljush and Helen Miljush. She was raised in a loving family with her brothers Stanley and Mike and her sister Julie (all of whom preceded her in death) and her loving sisters; Dorothy Pokrajac, Mildred Macik, Helen Kushlakus and sister-in-law Darlene Akins. Mary inspired us all as a daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Mary arrived in Wickenburg in 1963 with her beloved husband Gordon Taggart retired Lt. Colonel United States Army. Though Mary had been a dedicated wife and Mother for many years, she along with Gordon took over ownership and operations of The Famous Frontier Inn which had been inherited by Mary’s Mother Helen Miljush, formerly of Wickenburg. For 16 years the restaurant thrived and grew until their retirement in 1979. Mary and Gordon enjoyed 43 years of marriage before “the Colonel” passed away in 1984. Mary had a life long love of cooking that runs deep in her Serbian heritage among her entire family. That passion never left her and she became well known for her culinary skills not just by her family, but by her legions of Frontier Inn friends and customers who returned year after year for Mary’s homemade and delectable pies, cakes and salad dressings–all from her vast private recipe collection — removed warm from the back of the trunk of her car at 11:00 a.m. precisely every morning. In addition, who can ever forget her split pea soup! To cherish her memory, Mary leaves behind her children: Sherry Miller, Connie Walworth, and Gordon Taggart; sons-in-law Edwin Miller and Joe Walworth; daughter-in-law Mary Taggart, grandchildren, Mali Winfield Mrozinski, Tyra Marissa Taggart Mrozinski, Gordon Braunger Taggart, Garrett Michael Taggart, sisters Dorothy Pokrajac, Mildred Macik, Helen Kushlakus, and a host of nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her grandson: Joshua Taggart Miller. In memory of Mary, please go out and do one good and generous deed for someone today. That was Mary’s creed. In lieu of Flowers donations to Hospice may be sent to Hospice of The Valley, R Team (serving the Wickenburg area)–9435 West Peoria Ave, Peoria Az.85345