Barbara Ann (Murphy) Taylor

Barbara A. Taylor, 84 passed peacefully surrounded by family on May 17, 2026 at Bay Bluffs Medical Care Facility.

Barbara (Barb) was born Feb. 2 1942 to parents William and Lucile Murphy of Lansing Michigan. 

She attended and graduated from Sexton High school. She then attended The Practical Nurse Center in Lansing where she earned her LPN.

Following her graduation from nursing school, she moved to Petoskey, MI where she met and married the love of her life George A. Taylor, the meat cutter at Robarges and later Toski Sands. They spent many loving years together raising their children until George's passing in 1996.

Barb dedicated 45 years of her life to her work as an LPN at Northern Michigan Hospital before retiring in 2008. During that time she touched the lives of many of community members and colleagues. She was also a longtime member of the Outboard Cruising Club, the Red Hat Society, and The Lakeside Extension Group. Barb was also a board member of the Harbor Springs Friendship Center, a member of the Village of Hillside resident's council, and served as a driver for the Village of Hillside. Because of her dedication in these areas, she was awarded the Julie Sandorf Award which recognizes individuals who play a role in improving supportive housing within the state.

In her free time Barb loved spending time with her many friends and family and making new connections with others. She was the kind of woman who never met a stranger. She enjoyed dancing, cruising the lake in the family boat "lil Squirt", having lunch or coffee dates, or just talking on the phone with the people she loved.

Barb was a true animal lover. She was a very proud dog mom to Prince, Missy, and Rusty, her three Shelties. She was also exceptionally proud of "her grand dog" Chaz.

Barb was survived by her children, Jeff Taylor, Debbie Bradford, Rob Taylor (Sonya), Nathan Taylor (Hillary), and Lisa Taylor, her grandchildren, Sara Taylor, Christopher Bradford, Andrew Taylor (Bre), Isabella Taylor, and Savannah Taylor, and by her brother Roy Murphy (Joanne), and her nephews and niece Damon Murphy (Julie), Brian Murphy (Kacia), Jennifer and Milt.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 21 at 5-7pm with a funeral service to follow at 7pm.

Memorial donations may be made in Barb's name to The Little Traverse Bay Humane Society.

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