Maryanna was born on May 18, 1934. She was the youngest of four children - Beatrice, Jack and Albert were her older siblings. Maryanna's mother, Anna Savko, came from an Eastern European immigrant community who settled in New Jersey. Anna embroidered beauty into cloth, sang with a voice full of life, worked in a stocking factory and dreamed of the West. Anna sought education and was a pioneer for women's independence. Maryanna's father, William Taylor, was a sheep herder whose family journeyed from England to Utah and Wyoming through the Mormon church. He was the mountain man that Anna dreamed of. The two built a home and family in the rugged frontier near Fort Bridger, Wyoming.

It was Anna who planted the seed for Maryanna's love for music. Anna was always singing and she passed this beautiful trait on to her daughter. William planted the seed for the great outdoors and Maryanna's love for animals. Maryanna loved riding through the Wyoming hills on her horse, Redwing. Maryanna inherited the courage, strength and resilience of her parents and she carried those traits like a bright flame.

Maryanna attended college in Minnesota where her love of learning continued. She believed knowledge was a form of beauty and she pursued it with her whole heart. She became a teacher, artist and a multi-talented musician. Music was the center of her life. She could pick up nearly any instrument and make it sing. Maryanna wrote music and performed the majority of her life.

Throughout the years Maryanna played in the Centennial band, orchestras and various bands. She wrote music, taught marching bands and performed taps on her bugle for military funerals - an honor she carried with reverence. Maryanna also volunteered her music in nursing homes - bringing comfort and joy to those who needed it most. Every year, Maryanna traveled to Silverton to play with an woman's brass band - celebrating friendship, sound and the magic of shared artistry. Maryanna founded musical groups such as the Bavarian Brass and the Swing Quartet.

Teaching music was Maryanna's greatest pride. Maryanna and her first husband travelled the mountain towns near Breckenridge, Dillon and Frisco. Maryanna taught music and art while her husband taught math and science. Maryanna loved seeing her student's eyes shine with creativity. She inspired countless children to use music to brighten their lives. When Maryanna wasn't teaching she was skiing, kayaking, hiking and exploring the mountains. The outdoors were her soul's home. Mountains, hills, ruins, ghost towns - open sky; these were the places where she felt most herself. She walked with purpose, explored with wonder and traveled with joy. Animals, especially dogs, were her constant companions. She walked miles every day with her dogs - just exploring. Maryanna protected every creature she encountered - seeing beauty and worth where others might overlook it.

In the 1970's, Maryanna poured her creativity into the local art center - writing and performing in plays, directing them and participating in dinner theaters. Maryanna painted, sculpted and loved demonstrating her creativity through art. Maryanna believed intelligence mattered deeply and was a proud member of the Toastmistress Club - writing speeches with the same passion she brought to her art.

Maryanna loved adventure. She travelled widely - to Mexico, across the U.S.A. and most memorably to the ruins of Peru with her sister Bea. Peru was a place she considered her spiritual home. Maryanna collected arrowheads with uncanny skill - finding treasures where others saw only dirt. Maryanna belonged to the Bottle Club and spent many days digging in ghost towns for antique bottles. Her home became a museum of antique glass - every inch filled with color, history and the thrill of discovery.

Maryanna loved yard sales, flea markets and second hand stores. She was always searching for something special to give someone she cared about - a quiet, thoughtful way of saying, "You're on my mind."

Maryanna was naturally beautiful. Lipstick was usually the only makeup she wore. Maryanna valued her health and believed her beauty should match her intelligence. She was strong, resilient and able to find the rainbow in any storm. Routine bored her - housework felt like a waste of precious time. Maryanna wanted life to be vivid, surprising and full of meaning - and she lived exactly that way.

Maryanna's family was her heart. Her two children, Bill (William) and Martha, were her pride and joy - each cherished for different reasons. Bill saw the fun, mischievous side of his mother - the part of her that lit up through his adventures and theatrics. She loved hearing his stories and celebrated his boldness. She introduced him to renaissance festivals, music, science fiction and a deep love for rocks, excavation and the outdoors. Those passions became a language they shared - one bult on curiosity, imagination and joy. Bill brought out her sparkle and she delighted in every moment of his big, bright personality. Martha was Maryanna's best friend and confidant. They travelled together, protected each other and shared a bond built on trust, laughter and mutual understanding. Martha was the person Maryanna leaned on, laughed with and explored the world beside. Their relationship was one of profound closeness - two women who understood each other deeply and loved each other fiercely.

Maryanna's grandson Westley spent much of his childhood with his "Grammy", exploring the world together. She adored him with her whole heart. She travelled with Martha on business trips so she and Westley could discover new places while Martha worked. Westley brought her joy, purpose and a sense of wonder that matched her own.

Maryanna married Floyd Abrames when she was in her 60's. They met at the senior dances where Maryanna's talent for dancing shone. Floyd was her "rock", her foundation and the man who encouraged her to find her roots at her older age. They were married 26 years prior to his passing. Maryanna credited dancing for her good health and loved the joy it brought into her life. She often shared how Floyd was the only man she ever asked to dance. Maryanna taught Floyd to play the tuba, baritone and saxophone. They played in bands together and danced when they weren't playing.

Maryanna is survived by her children - Bill and Martha; and her grandson Westley. Maryanna lived with creativity, humor, intelligence and a spirit that refused to be ordinary. She sought adventure, embraced the unusual and believed life was far too short to be bland. She was strong, beautiful and unforgettable. Maryanna loved her family and they carry her spirit forward in every adventure, every laugh and every moment lived outside the box. She was resilient. She was brilliant. She was one of a kind. She will be missed beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the animal rescue of your choosing in her honor.