Rileigh Michelle Taylor

Rileigh Michelle Taylor, 15, entered into Heaven on April 1st 2025. Rileigh, the beloved daughter of Michael George-Taylor and Andrea Taylor (Martinez) was born on February 24th 2010, in Ann Arbor Michigan. Though her life here was too short, it is full of memories filled with love. She was always advanced in hitting her milestones as she grew, as if God knew she had a lot to do in a short time. Her intellect and emotional intelligence had many people give her the title of an “old soul” her whole life.

She had strength in her quiet and calm demeanor, she was grounded and that made her stand out in the chaos of the world. Her nature may have been reserved but her spirit was bold, she was quick with her incredible wit, always making us laugh because of how clever she truly was. She had intense passion for that which she loved and stood for. Her depth was unmatched, and she expressed this through songwriting. Rileigh wrote lyrics to over 300 songs. Along with her poetry and lyrics, she sang, played ukulele and guitar, even organizing a 12 track set list of her favorite songs she wrote to make up an full length album. Her love for music brought her on multiple trips to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Dallas Texas to see Lana Del Rey, but her favorite - trips to visit her cousins in Michigan where they would sing karaoke and make videos dancing to their favorite songs. Rileigh loved to travel. She reflected with fondness about her trip to Savannah Georgia with her dad to visit her grandpa Todd, her vacations to Disney + Universal and the Hollywood’s walk of fame in California with her mom, the Martinez family trip to North Carolina for her God mother, Paige, and Vic’s wedding, visiting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, visiting her beloved chosen family - Brenda, Jude, Stella and Norah in Louisiana, and too many more to list. She was blessed to grow up a short car ride in any direction for a big adventure. Her first tour guides to this land was her grandpa and grandma George, showing her many places she continued to return to over the years like The Grand Mesa and Sego Canyon Utah. She enjoyed exploring nature, camping, star gazing, smores over a camp fire, swimming, paddle boarding and bike riding. She would often sit on the back porch step in the early morning to get some sun, drink her tea and listen to the birds as she journaled, drew or played on her phone. She had a talent for digital and pencil art. She was an incredible portrait artist. She also enjoyed watercolor and acrylic painting, encouraged during the many days with her grandma Greta, affectionately called Moo Maw. Rileigh loved spending time with her family. She spent time every summer with her Mimi and grandpa Martinez, swimming and staying up late watching movies or just talking about life. She always had so much fun goofing around with her cousins Aiden, Nariah, Ava, Bash and Evelyn. She made many precious memories with her family, including her sleep over at Aunt Hollie’s with her cousin Alyvea. She was fortunate to have met her newest cousin Jonah. She loved the little kids in her life! She was so responsible, she did an amazing job caring for her cousin (that she liked to call her niece) Piper. She had a big heart for the little ones, with a very special space reserved for her baby brother Nikolai Stepisnik-Taylor. She enjoyed spending time with him, being entertained by hanging out together.

Rileigh will be forever remembered for her beautiful soul and grace. She lives on in the memories of her mentioned loved ones, Neah Stepisnik, great grandma Martinez, great grandma and grandpa George, her aunts Amanda Winn (Martinez), Angela Dunn (Martinez), Ashley Hamaker (George), Jennifer Schartner, Ryan and Nicole George, her uncles Al Winn and Jake Dunn, her cousins Sadie, Kaleb and Luna, her many beloved great aunts, uncles and second cousins. She was welcomed into Heaven by her great grandpa Martinez, Nana and Papa Rogers, Ma and Pa and her beloved aunt Peyton Schartner.

If you need mental health support check out crisistextline.org for resources, text CONNECT to 741741, or call or text the number 988 for confidential help through the national crisis lifeline.