Rochelle "Shelley" Taylor's Obituary
Mrs. Rochelle “Shelley” Taylor, age 73, of Spring Lake passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, February 2, 2018. She was born August 17, 1944 in Holland to Justin and Twila (Dagen) Smeenge. She grew up in Holland and attended Cedar Lake Academy where she enjoyed playing basketball, participating in track and singing in the choir. On August 25, 1962 she married Kenneth Taylor Jr. and they were blessed with 55 wonderful years together.
Family was always first in Shelley’s heart. Her early married years were spent as a homemaker, raising their four children. When her children were older she began her career in the photography business, first working for Courney Tourcotte and later for Paris Studios. In addition to beginning her career, she began volunteering for the Miss Michigan Organization, which spanned over 30 years in various roles. In July 1996, she went into a business partnership with Alan Carson and together they created CT Gallery. Through volunteering for the Miss Michigan Organization, she found her true passion and spent the last 12 years as the Executive Director. She touched many lives throughout the state of Michigan and nationwide. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and the lessons she taught about the importance of family and to always lead with your heart. Shelley was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, Ken Jr.; four children: Jamie (Tom) Smith, Jill McPherson, Ken (Kim) Taylor III, and Tim (Cindy) Taylor; fourteen grandchildren: Lindsay, Kyle (Allison), Lauren, Kylea, Morgan, Meredith, Taylor, Justin, Emma, Nathan, Andrew, Nicholas and Samantha; sister, Annette (Jim) Evans; sister-in-law, Dee Smeenge; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Justin and Twila; her in-laws, Ken; and Jesse Taylor Sr., brothers, Jerry and Sam Smeenge; sister-in-law, Sandy Smeenge and nephew, Brad Smeenge.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Rev. Father Charles D. Hall officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. and one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Shelley’s love of her Miss Michigan Family may be given to: Miss Michigan Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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