Obituary of Gunnild TAYLOR

September 6, 1924 - Skaevinge, Denmark

January 16, 2021 - Strathmore, Alberta

Gunnild Nielsen Taylor, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away in the Strathmore AgeCare Sagewood facility on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at the age of 96.

Gunnild was born in Skaevinge, Denmark on September 6, 1924, to Niels Kristian Nielsen and Erna Tove Thajesta Spliid. She immigrated to Canada as a young child with her parents and sister, Karen.

Gunnild married Ross Taylor on December 30, 1944 and they had two children, Barney and Janice. Gunnild and Ross lived for sixty-one years in the house he designed and built.  She worked very hard in several places during her early marriage before starting what became a twenty-five-year career at Woodward`s Stores Ltd. Gunnild was well known for her excellent work and personalized service. Her family mattered most to her and she spent her time, talents, and means loving and serving them. Her home was a gathering place for immediate and extended family and friends where she made everyone feel welcome and important. Gunnild was an excellent cook and hostess. She loved birthdays, holidays, and every chance to celebrate.

Gunnild had an amazing ability to love and serve. She quietly gave all that she had to others but somehow, never went without. God knew her loving and generous heart and richly blessed her in the exact ways she needed. Gunnild was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which she joined with Ross, Barney and Janice in 1963. She was a woman of great faith who often spoke of Jesus Christ, His sacrifice and all that He suffered for us. We are grateful to know that He is now welcoming her home.

Gunnild is survived by her son Barney Ross Taylor, his wife, Myrle Elizabeth Nielson, and their seven children and spouses: Norman (Pam), Laura Dorward, Jonathan (Jenni), Renae Higginson, Joshua, Karen Baker (Brad), Matthew (Chloe). She also is survived by her daughter, Janice Christine McAllister, her husband, Douglas Ellis McAllister, and their seven children and spouses: Emily Moffitt (Rex), Paul (Stacy), Catherine Shapiro (Marcus), John (Karisa), Laura Smith (Simeon), Mark (Sydney), Rachel Tenney (Preston), as well as her fifty-four great-grandchildren and ten nieces and nephews: Robert Taylor, Barbara Taylor, Robert Luft, Susan LaBelle, Ron Nielsen, Eric Nielsen, Jerry Nielsen, Glen Nielsen, Cheryl Neiman, Beverly Godfrey. All her family members love her and will greatly miss her.

Gunnild was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ross Taylor; her siblings and their spouses, Karen and Allan Luft and their son Gary, John and Gila Nielsen, George and Rita Nielsen, and two brothers, Jens and Frode Sylvest Nielsen, who died as young children in Denmark.

A viewing will be held for Gunnild at McInnis and Holloway Funeral Home at Memorial Drive and 52 Street in Calgary on Friday, January 22, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. An online funeral service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021. Anyone wishing to view it may obtain the Zoom link from a family member.  Family and friends are invited to stay on the Zoom call at the conclusion of services to share personal tributes to Gunnild. Graveside services will be held Monday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. at the Union Cemetery, 3025 Spiller Road S.E. in Calgary.

Family and friends are invited to share their condolences, memories, and photos at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

We sincerely thank the caregivers and staff at Sagewood, and Dr. McLaughlin, who took such excellent care of Gunnild. We are especially grateful for the sacrifices they made, despite COVID, that allowed us to have facetime calls with our mother prior to her passing.