Darlene Anna Taylor, nee Arth, age 91, of Troy, born August 12, 1921, in Troy, Ill., to Fredrick Michael and Olivia Barbara, nee Brendel, Arth, passed away Friday, August 2, 2013 at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice Home, Edwardsville, Ill.

Mrs. Taylor was a longtime faithful member of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Troy and had been active in St. Ann's Altar Sodality for many years. She was generous with her time serving on many committees and helping at church picnics and the Troy Homecoming. She baked cookies for the St. Vincent de Paul food bus, was a faithful participant in the Prayer Chain ministry, and served on the funeral luncheon committee.

She was able to enjoy traveling after her retirement and had participated in the former Holly Hills Golden Age Club, St. Louis. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and often shared her delicious home-cooked meals and baked goods with her family and friends. She appreciated God's creation, especially hummingbirds and cardinals, and kept a beautiful flower garden at her home.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert A. Taylor, whom she married June 21, 1941 at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Troy, and who passed away May 28, 2000; her parents; and brother Oliver J. Arth.

Surviving are her daughter Gloria (Elbert) Eschman of Collinsville; son Dennis (Christine, nee Wolfersberger) Taylor of Troy; grandchildren Diane (Jeffry) Braeutigam, Theresa (Bradley) Golden, Judith (Vince) Fletcher, Brian (Amy) Eschman, and Bradley Taylor, and nine great-grandchildren Robert and Samantha Braeutigam; Briana, Tabitha, and Lydia Golden; MacKenzie and Reece Fletcher; and Aleah and Brandon Eschman; and sister-in-law Joan Arth of Collinsville; and her special friends and neighbors at Liberty Square.

Special thanks and sincere appreciation are given to Hospice of Southern Illinois caregivers that came to her home and to the staff at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice Home and to her caregivers from Home Instead.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jerome Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, or Hospice of Southern Illinois Relais Bonne Eau Community Hospice Home or Patient Care Programs & Services.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, August 4, 2013, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, and again after 9:00 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2013, at the church.

Funeral: Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2013, with Rev. Pat Jakel presiding. Burial will follow at St. Jerome Catholic Cemetery, Troy, Ill.