Joyce Rennay Taylor

Joyce Rennay Taylor of Cadillac passed away on September 15, 2025 at the Wexford Senior Care Center in Cadillac. Joy is survived by her devoted spouse of 49 years John F. Taylor, children Joshua Taylor, Erin (Curtis) Lizotte, daughter-in-law Amanda Taylor, brother Anthony (Alli) Morrison and her beloved grandchildren Abigail Jean Lowe, Dillon Matthew Lizotte, John Gabriel Taylor and Ruby Joyce Lizotte. She was preceded in death by her parents Matthew and Betty Morrison, her beloved in-laws Ernest and Helen Taylor and her eldest son John Matthew Taylor. Joy was born on December 6, 1953 to Matthew and Betty Morrison in Livonia Michigan. After graduating from Livonia Stevenson High School she followed her parents north to Marion Michigan in 1972. She loved Marion, but remained a proud Detroiter maintaining her connections there her whole life. Shortly after moving to Cadillac she completed her nursing degree at the Mercy School of Nursing, while moonlighting at Big Boy. She quickly met Cadillac native John F. Taylor, they married in 1973 and together had three children. They lived in a number of Cadillac locations, collecting lifelong friends along the way. Joy was very active, playing wallyball at Pinegrove, volleyball in the old Lincoln School and riding her bicycle around the lake. She also enjoyed horseback riding, sailing, sewing, canning, riding her own motorcycles and camping. She was a DIY pro, fully restoring her Victorian home, in Cadillac, right down to the leaded glass windows. She could truly do anything. True to her servant’s heart, Joy worked as a nurse for most of her adult life collecting many treasured friends while serving at Cadillac Mercy Hospital, Lakeview Lutheran Manor and Amicare. She also stepped up to provide nursing care for many personal friends, neighbors and family members providing compassionate and competent care for so many over the years. Joy turned volunteering into an Olympic sport and she was a gold medalist. She served many local organizations, most notably Tom Thumb, Habitat for Humanity, the Cadillac Area Sports Association, the Cadillac Area Hockey Association, the Art Fair, Trout Unlimited, Cadillac Area Public Schools, Love INC, MSU Extension and Project Christmas. She also helped start the first recycling program in Cadillac. She spent countless hours volunteering at the First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac where she was an active member and Christian educator for many years. She loved her Cadillac community and they loved her too. ‘Joy’ was truly the perfect name for her. She approached life with humor, hard work and a truly Christian approach to her family, friends, neighbors and community. She will be greatly missed. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, September 26, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church in Cadillac with Pastor Mike Horlocker officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the many organizations listed above or the Alzheimer’s Association. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Joyce Rennay Taylor

December 6, 1953 - September 15, 2025