| Obituary | Jul 17, 2015 | OBITUARY: TAYLOR, Catherine McQuesten Age 83 and granddaughter of Gwichin/Koyukon matriarch, Katherine James and Alaska pioneer Leroy Napoleon (Jack) McQuesten and Prussian-German immigrants Adele Bredehöft and Charles August Kay, passed away July 6, 2015 in Monterey, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna McQuesten of San Francisco and Walter McQuesten of Berkeley and husband, Jack Taylor.
Ever true to her dreams and adventurous spirit, she spent the last few years living between Glen Ellen, CA and Buena Vista, Baja California Sur, MEXICO. Growing up with a depression-era mentality and travel in her DNA, her life was characterized by hard work, 'out of the box' thinking and a willingness to pack-up and go. Throughout her life, she took on any and every job opportunity with gusto whether it was working as a cafeteria lady, health aide or instructional assistant for public schools in San Francisco and Sonoma, pulling a swing shift at Stemple's Bakery, counting money for Canned Foods Grocery Outlet or answering the customer service line for AT&T. Reaching out to others, she fed striking dock workers, taught English to children in Mexico and was always up for the next real estate deal or sales scheme. At age twenty, her adventurous nature took her to Europe via train and steamship to visit her future husband serving in Germany. At forty, she pulled up stakes and moved the family to La Paz in Baja for a year. Years later, she returned to Mexico and built a home in Buena Vista, BCS. She loved a party, music, a hand of bridge and an impromptu visit. Always busy reading, supervising a construction project or taking an aqua aerobics class, she demonstrated a 'can do/be useful' approach to living life every day. While frugal, she enjoyed splurging on a trip to Las Vegas and the indulgence of oysters or a standing rib roast at Christmas. Long time resident of San Francisco, her children are San Francisco natives. She is survived by sons Fred Taylor (Ann) and Charles Taylor (Starmie), daughter Annie Millar (Herb Dang), grandchildren Frank Dang (Sarah Troy) and Amelia Dang, Ashley Frampton (Josiah) and Samantha Taylor, Thomas Melnick and Jack Taylor, brother Walter McQuesten and many close friends and relatives. Donations may be made to Pets Lifeline in Sonoma or to the charity of your choice . A party in her honor is still to be scheduled. Contact the family for details.
Published in the Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA - from July 17, 2015.2
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Catherine Adele McQuesten 
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