Mary was born in Wasco, CA to John & Rosa Miller. Her siblings were Henry, Joe X and Rosie. She was a first-generation American as John & Rosa were Swiss immigrants. Mary grew up on a farm and loved the outdoors, animals, and gardening. She attended St. John's Catholic school, Wasco High School, Bakersfield College, and Fresno State where she majored in Biology. On January 21, 1961, she married her college sweetheart, Vaughn Taylor, and they made their home in Shafter. During their marriage, they were blessed with four children: Douglas (who passed in infancy in November 1961), Philip (1962), Rebecca (1963) and Gregory (1969). After the kids had entered school, Mary began substituting at Richland and Maple Schools. Sadly, Vaughn passed unexpectantly in January of 1974. Mary went to work full time in the accounting field. She remained a widow for 10 years until she married Marshall Smith on May 19, 1984, and with this union, she became a stepmom to Craig and Becky.

A few years after their marriage, Marshall went into kidney failure. In hope of lengthening Marshall's life, Mary donated her kidney to him in December 1996. Marshall and Mary enjoyed 28 years of marriage before he passed in January 2013. During their marriage, they became Papa and Oma to Vaughn, Liz, Ian & Ariel Driskill; Lila & Tess Taylor; and Ben Gibson. In the last 5 years, 2 additional grandchildren were added to her family through marriage: Chris Chartier (Liz) and Jill (Ian) Driskill. As well as great grandchildren, Emery & Blake Chartier.

Mary was a woman of many gifts and talents. She was a master of logic games & puzzles, sewing & needlework of all types, gardening & canning and her yard was always a showstopper. She also loved to walk her two dogs, Foxy and Peanut, in the neighborhoods and surrounding fields of Shafter.

Mary was predeceased in 1992 by her beloved son, Greg. She is survived by her sister, Rose Robinson-Taylor of Bakersfield, Phil & Nancy Taylor of Eureka; Becky & Dave Driskill of Bakersfield as well as all her grandchildren. Oma was loved and adored by her family. In return, her family was her whole life, and she cherished every moment she was able to spend with them. Please join us as we celebrate Oma on December 22, 2022, at 11:00 am at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter.