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BEAR RIVER CITY, Box Elder County — Kathy Taylor, who was diagnosed with terminal melanoma cancer while pregnant with her sixth child, died on New Year's Eve. Her husband spoke to KSL News Monday about how her story inspired so many.
Kathy Taylor lived in the small farming community of Bear River City, where she received support during her illness. The Taylor family never expected Kathy's story would reach far beyond the northern Utah town.
From their home Monday, Kathy's husband, Nathan, spoke of his wife's dreams of becoming a professional singer. Instead of taking a job offer singing in Las Vegas, she chose to share her talents at home with her children.
Nathan is now trying to adjust to life as a single parent to five children.
"I don't know if we're in a routine right now," he said.
Kathy's cancer battle began during her pregnancy when doctors diagnosed her with terminal melanoma. She chose to delay cancer treatment as long as possible so her baby would have a chance at life. Then, at just 29 weeks pregnant, she learned her liver was failing and she needed to deliver her son.
On Sept. 11, Luke entered the world weighing less than 2 pounds. Sadly, a few days later, he developed an infection and passed away.
KSL visited with Kathy at her home shortly after Luke's death. She spoke of how she knew her time was running short.
"Coming home and seeing how much my family needs me here, it just makes it harder to leave," she said during the September interview.
Instead of focusing on time ticking away, she said she focused on all that was right in her life, leaning on her faith and living for moments with her family. It was at this point that the story of Kathy spread from the small Utah town to Hollywood and singer Sarah McLachlan.
"(Sarah) endorsed it and had compassion for Kathy," Nathan said.
She gave permission for Kathy to record a cover of her hit song "I Will Remember You" and sell it on iTunes. All the proceeds of the song's sale go directly to the Taylor family.
There were a lot of miracles. It seems to have reached a lot of people who suffered, who lost people, suffered sickness; they related to it.
–Nathan Taylor, husband
"It was kind of a small way of fulfilling a dream when she was younger," Nathan said.
Throughout her cancer treatment, Kathy posted updates regularly on her website, "Kathy's Miracle." A lifesaving miracle never came, but her husband said others did.
"There were a lot of miracles," Nathan said. "It seems to have reached a lot of people who suffered, who lost people, suffered sickness; they related to it."
Although Kathy is no longer at her Bear River City home, Nathan believes her influence is.
"A purposeful effort needs to be made to remember her," he said. "Her legacy will live on through her kids."
A public viewing will be held at the Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home in Tremonton from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, and the Bear River Chapel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The memorial service will begin at noon.
