We start this message as our Mom did in her first article for the Joplin Independent almost 15 years ago and we imagine she would have wanted nothing more than to still be healthy enough to help with its much needed editing. Unfortunately we're on our own, as Marilyn "Mariwinn" Taylor ended her hard battle with metastasized cancer this weekend, passing away peacefully in the room adjacent to her cherished backyard garden.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Marilyn attended Millburn High School and Rutgers Univeristy. She went on to become a photojournalist and a volunteer on the Millburn First Aid Squad. After moving to the Midwest, her journalistic passion led her to start her own independent on-line news source. As the editor and publisher of the Joplin Independent and Voice of the Ozarks, she helped build a non-commercial media repository that currently contains over 7,000 articles of local and global interest. In addition to journalism, Mari's other passions included photography, doll collecting, attending Little Theater performances, and above all gardening (though she could have done without all the weeds and bugs).

Marilyn is survived by her two children Ashley & Matthew, companion Vince, cat Toc, and her Koi pond inhabitants. Mari joins her late husband Brian in the great rose garden in the sky.

A memorial get together in Marilyn's honor will be held at her home & garden on Saturday, November 12th from 2pm to 5pm. Please rsvp to info@joplinindependent.com for directions or more details.

In lieu of flowers Marilyn asked that you send contributions to the organizations below:

CARE (Castaway Animal Rescue Effort) Animal Rescue
1328 West Sunshine St.
Springfield MO 65807
417-875-6565
http://www.carerescue.org/donate

Springfield Friends of the Garden
2400 S. Scenic
Springfield, MO 65807
417-874-2952
https://friendsofthegarden.org/support/make-a-gift

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