Marilou “Lou” Schwarz Taylor

Marilou “Lou” Schwarz Taylor – AKA “Best Mom”

Born February 12, 1928, in Hollywood, California, to Walter and Helen Schwarz, Marilou “Lou” Schwarz Taylor, a long time resident of Corona del Mar passed away May 4, 2008, after a seven year bout with liver cancer. She is survived by her only child, Stacy Morgan Taylor of Laguna Niguel.

During the 1950’s, Lou was a professional award winning ballroom dancer, dancing at the Coconut Grove and the Avalon Casino to the live music of Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, Freddy Martin and Merv Griffin. In 1952, she was a guest on the Groucho Marx show “You Bet Your Life.” Groucho bet that he could get her to say, “Will You Marry Me?” to her contestant partner. One step ahead of Groucho, she sidestepped his quick wit, stayed single, won the bet and $300 - plus marriage proposals from thousands of male viewers around the United States. Wanting more, at a time when women were relegated to the work of homemakers, she crossed the gender gap as a gifted artist becoming Chief of the United States Air Force Graphic Department Contract Management Division with the Western Procurement District in Los Angeles. Following her desire to see the world, she became a stewardess with Slick Airways and traveling to Wake Island, Guam, Japan, Hawaii, England, Germany, The Azores, Canada, France, the Philippines and other countries. After her many travels, Lou worked as a freelance graphic designer in San Francisco. She returned to the Air Force with a civil service assignment as Chief of the Western Contract Management Region Graphic Department at Mira Loma. Later she transferred to the Air Force Contract Management Division in Los Angeles. In the 1960’s she became the Chief of the Graphic Department at El Toro Marine Corp Air Station until her retirement.

Her favorite pastimes were to treasure hunt at garage sales with her sister, Marty. She also loved walking with her daughter, Stacy, around Balboa Island, along Ocean Blvd. in Corona del Mar and on Monarch Beach. As a gourmet cook, she loved to prepare wonderful dishes, birthday cakes (watch out for the birthday dime!) and on special occasions, get dolled up and go to Roy’s, Josh Slocum’s, Rouge and Partner’s Bistro followed by a nightcap at Five Crowns or the Ritz Carlton. Lou loved spending time with her friends, AKA “The Blonde Bombshells,” sailing and the Transpac welcome parties, “mini-vacations” with her daughter to Santa Fe, Catalina, Palm Springs, spas, San Francisco and bi-annual trips to Hawaii. She also loved Broadway, shopping and the Museums in New York City, decorating for Christmas (thank you Mom for all the Angel ornaments), and getting up in the middle of the night to watch meteor showers with Stacy.

She was a painter in oils, acrylics and watercolors, Chinese brush painting, a professional calligrapher, illustrator and graphic designer. Her artwork was shown at The Festival of Arts, The Winter Festival and The Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. Both Lou and her daughter, Stacy, were cast in the Pageant of the Masters for several consecutive years. She designed some of the stained glass in St. Michaels And All Angels church in Corona del Mar. Lou was also a member of the Orange County and Laguna Beach Art Museums and the Performing Arts Center. She loved traveling, the arts, dance, plays, the theatre, concerts, painting, mixed media and was an accomplished seamstress.

Lou and Stacy were far more than mother and daughter; they were life long best friends. She loved to watch Stacy dance whether in a dance studio, performing on stage or in the living room. Lou had a great love of life and a will to live. Despite being diagnosed with cancer and for as long as was possible, Lou continued to attend her art classes, the theater, gallery and museum openings, and every Thursday she and Stacy attended the Laguna Beach Art Walk. Upon her mother’s request, Stacy was her sole caretaker for 6 years. The cancer and the chemotherapy took their toll. Be at peace Lou, “For He will give His angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalms 91:11). Truth does not divide, but unite. Truth does not question, doubt or judge. Truth resides in all souls; this trust unites us as one. Lou’s life, her love, her art, her passion, the truth she taught us and her spirit will always be remembered, she is and will always be “Best Mom.”

Lou wanted to be cremated at the Neptune Society. She always instructed her daughter, (who taught aerobics and dance at the gym, Nautilus), and her sister Marty, that if anything happened to her “to be sure and call Nautilus to get her ashes cremated.” Despite the confusion, she was cremated at the Neptune Society.

Lou will forever be missed by her daughter, Stacy, Ginny Pullman, Ellen Selman, Darlene McElroy, Jan Harmon, Leah Halbey, Kristy and Ian, Doris Lewis, Bernard and Dusty, Orville Handy and countless others who were blessed to have known her and whose lives were forever changed by her unconditional love and friendship. Lou is survived by her daughter, Stacy. She was predeceased by her sister, Margaret “Marty” Schwarz Carter of Corona del Mar and her brother Wallace Schwarz who passed away in San Francisco.

Her last wishes were to have her ashes spread at the coordinates in the Pacific Ocean off Newport Beach where her sister Margaret’s ashes preceded her. Her daughter, Stacy, will host a memorial service at the site, accompanied by all those who love Lou. Amid the chorus of The Age of Aquarius...Let the Sun Shine In; Lou will be toasted with champagne, cheerful hearts and laughter to celebrate her full and blessed life. The service will be scheduled at a later date. For information about the service, contact Stacy Taylor at 949.240.7770. In lieu of any donations to charities in her name, Marilou would prefer you to cherish the time given you with those you love and those who love you and... pay it forward.