Jan Taylor, 62, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014 at her home in the San Jose area, not far from the home where she grew up. She was born to Neil and Janice Taylor on May 18, 1951 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jan graduated from Wolfson High School in 1969 and Duke University in 1973. She worked at Oaklawn Cemetery for 34 years, initially alongside her beloved grandmother, Leonora Taylor. Her artistic nature and attention to detail are reflected in the intricacy of the stained glass panels and the decorative tile work she created for the home her husband Wayne designed and built.

She was a competitive and enthusiastic runner for most of her life and ran in the Gate River Run many times. Jan completed nine major marathons across the country, including the 100th Boston Marathon. In recent years, she inspired and coached her beloved daughter Dana, also a marathon runner, by accompanying her at the beginning of each race and waiting near the finish line to encourage her to finish strong. Her daughter, Jenna, is perhaps the most well-known athlete of the family by her achievements in Special Olympics. In addition to Jan's marathon training, she was an avid tennis player and won many club championships at San Jose Country Club.

Jan and Wayne taught and participated in Sunday school at Southside United Methodist Church. No matter what Jan set out to accomplish, she did it with grace, determination, and dedication. Always thinking of others, she never missed an opportunity to send birthday cards or notes of encouragement and praise. Jan is survived by her husband Wayne Perpall and daughters Jenna and Dana Perpall; her father Neil C. Taylor; her brother Mark Taylor, his wife Ginny and their daughter Alex of Jacksonville; her brother Neil, his wife Pegge and their daughters Mindy and Kirsten of Chicago; sister-in-law Carol Perpall Fortino, her husband Paul Fortino of Portland, Oregon, nephew Paul Fortino and his wife Krista of Gig Harbor, Washington, and niece Chiara and her husband Dan Chung of Chicago.

Jan fought breast cancer courageously and was suffering from liver cancer at the time of her death. She will always be remembered for her graciousness and concern for others. Jan and Wayne, along with their daughter Jenna, often volunteered at the Sulzbacher Center serving meals to the homeless. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her name to the Sulzbacher Center or to the Southside United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening on Thursday, March 6 at The Oaklawn Chapel. Memorial services will be held at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, March 7 at Southside United Methodist Church, 3120 Hendricks Avenue.