TAYLOR, Margaret Ellen (Mardy)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, December 12, 2014 Margaret Ellen (Mardy) Taylor, 70, of Prescott, Arizona, born June 1, 1944, in Flint Michigan, passed away on Dec. 1, 2014. Mardy was born in Michigan, where she grew up and met Jack, her husband of almost 50 years, in her sophomore year, and they were high school sweethearts for 56 years. They had two daughters and three wonderful grandchildren, and were very close with each of them. Jack and Mardy traveled all over the world together. Favorite places included Hawaii, Bora Bora, Fiji, Caribbean Islands, Ireland and many U.S. National Parks. Mardy loved to swim, snorkel, and SCUBA dive almost as much as she liked to go camping and kick back in front of a warm, crackling fire. She was an excellent golfer, and enjoyed photography, and daily walks with her boxer, Lola. Passionate about nursing and healthcare, she began her career at age 15, delivering meal trays to patients at Hurley Hospital in Flint. She attended Hurley Nursing School and the University of Michigan with degrees in Nursing and Health Services Administration. She worked as a registered nurse at Hurley Hospital, and at St. Joseph's Hospital in Flint she worked her way up to head nurse of the ICU and later managed the cardiac surgery program there as well. After moving to Arizona with her family, Mardy joined the team at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. She worked closely with Dr. Ted Dietrich (in the Arizona Heart Institute, which later became Arizona Heart Hospital), completed the first cardiovascular nurse specialist training program at St. Joseph's, and took part in the first heart transplant surgery in Phoenix. She earned her MBA from University of Phoenix and became director and then interim vice president of nursing at St. Joseph's. In 1991, Mardy joined the amazing team at Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott and soon became Chief Nursing Officer. She was immeasurably proud to be a strong advocate for nurses and authored many articles on the importance of transforming the industry to center upon patient-empowered care. She was critical to envisioning and implementing YRMC's mission of creating a "Total Healing Environment" -a model now emulated by hospitals around the country and abroad. After retiring in 2011, she was actively involved through the YRMC Volunteers program. Major achievements include registered nurse, BS in health services administration, master's in business administration, Director of Nursing, St. Joseph's Hospital, YRMC Chief Nursing Officer, president of Arizona Organization of Nurse Executives (member for over 22 years). Also member of Arizona Board of Nursing, American Association of University Women, Arizona Governor's Task Force on Nursing Shortage. She was an active community member, philanthropist and founder of several charitable initiatives. Above all, Mardy was a beloved wife and a wonderful mother and is deeply missed by her family. She is survived by her husband Jack; daughters Susan and Michele; grandchildren Ryan, Sabin and Meadow; brother Richard; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Merl Denis Henry and Elizabeth Mary Henry of Flint, Michigan, as well as her sister Patsy Ann Misenheimer, also of Flint. Final placement will be in Prescott National Cemetery. A gathering for friends and community members to remember and celebrate her life will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2014 at the Heights Church, 2121 Larry Caldwell Drive, Prescott, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Foundation, in memory of Margaret E. Taylor, 50 Perkins Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301. Your contributions will help fund local nursing education. Please visit www.heritage mortuary.com to sign Mardy's online guestbook. Services Entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary, Prescott Arizona. Information provided by survivors.