About This Memory Space
This page was created for Ellen M. Taylor's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Ellen M. Taylor's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Ellen M. Taylor. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Ellen M. Taylor crafted a life rich with elegance, achievement, and artistic passion, leaving an indelible mark from the sunlit shores of Pasadena to the heart of Indianapolis. Her story weaves together sorority leadership, historic floral honors, and a lens forever drawn to the sea's dramatic horizons.
Born in Pasadena, California, to Ragnar and Myrtle Johnson, Ellen grew up amid the vibrant backdrop of Southern California's coastal charm. She pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, where she immersed herself in campus life as a dedicated Delta Gamma sorority member and rose to the role of President of the Dean of Students. A highlight of her youth came in 1953 when she was selected as a Rose Princess for the prestigious Pasadena Tournament of Roses—a distinction she later shared with her daughter in 1978, creating an unmatched mother-daughter legacy in the event's storied history. Throughout her years, Ellen found profound joy in photography, her camera a faithful companion for immortalizing ocean vistas and the fleeting beauty of sunsets.
At USC, Ellen's leadership shone brightly as President of the Dean of Students, guiding peers with poise and vision while fostering a sense of community within the Delta Gamma sorority. Her influence extended beyond academics, culminating in her celebrated role as a 1953 Rose Princess, a nod to her grace and prominence that echoed through decades.
Family & Loved Ones
Ellen shared a devoted marriage with Eugene 'Gene' Taylor of La Canada, California, building a foundation of love that anchored her adventures. Her deepest pride centered on her daughter, Kathleen A. Dusing, married to Tom, and the two granddaughters, Megan and Lauren Dusing, who carried forward the family's remarkable Tournament of Roses tradition as the only mother-daughter pair ever honored as Rose Princesses.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from admirers across Ellen's circles evoke a woman of timeless poise and creative spirit, with many recalling her radiant smile and the stunning coastal images that captured her soul.