Remembering Rev. Dr. Dusty Taylor
Montview Co-Paster 1980 – 2002

“Dusty Taylor was a remarkable woman whose leadership benefited Montview in so many ways,” wrote members of the Montview Heritage Committee. As Montview’s first female co-pastor, she initiated several of the church’s core programs and activities:

The Deacon/Shepherd organization to support families dealing with a new child or death in the family

Guinevere’s Dinner and the Women’s Retreat – Offering opportunities for women to learn and celebrate each other

Sunday Morning Adult Education Program – Offering four tracks for Bible study, discussions and Living your faith in the community

The Montview Session awarded Dusty the title of Pastor Emeritus at the time of her retirement. A highlight of her career was serving as Moderator of The Denver Presbytery in 1997. She was the first woman invited to preach at Red Rocks Amphitheater for the Easter Sunrise Service. During her sabbatical in 1991 she studied Islam and wove paraments for the church chancel. Dusty recommended that a team write a history of Montview for our 100^th anniversary and she wrote a chapter in The Spirit of Montview.

She was a dynamic, personable woman, generous and gracious to all ages.” One member noted her interaction with children: ‘When Dusty entered a room, she scanned it to ensure all were included in a conversation or activity’.  – Montview Heritage Committee

Dusty’s generous spirit and hospitality were a recurring theme expressed by those who shared fond memories:

Dusty went out of her way to provide opportunities for me to share my gift of music in the church. I appreciated her openness and spirit of inclusivity. She was indeed a bright light in my experience at Montview.  – Richelle Force   

I appreciated that Dusty was always friendly and welcoming and made me feel “seen.”  – Dave Force 

“My Mom wanted to be the pastor for people who had no place else to go, especially at Christmas,” recalls daughter Kathy Dusser. “She included a lot of older, single people at Montview at Christmas. “She’d conduct the Children’s Service (2 pm), go home and cook dinner for 12 and return to participate in the midnight service as well!”

Dusty embraced life and new adventures, especially if they involved education, mission or travel. With her abundant energy, she led a tour of the Holy Land and Egypt in 1992 and to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany in 1984 and 1990. One passion play post-trip included a Presbyterian Heritage tour of Scotland and England. Upon her return, Dusty taught a class in Celtic Spirituality, sharing photos and insights about the “Thin Place” on the Scottish Island of Iona, where visitors feel closer to God.

Dusty participated in Montview’s first trip to Nepal in 2000. One of her 50 participants recalled:

The trip to the village of Yarmasing was more arduous than Dusty (and others) expected. Dusty quipped that she arrived in Yarmasing on a Sherpa’s back like Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Dusty was a great sport, even when conditions were less than easy.

She was part of the “education team,” working with students and teachers to demonstrate more interactive learning activities. You can see pictures of Dusty teaching about using a handkerchief for runny noses and singing ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm,’ day after day. Reading books to students and encouraging interactions in English, she always had a smile and a warm heart.

At the end of the week, Dusty, a Buddhist Monk and the school principal dedicated the new library and community center that our team had helped create with the villagers.  – Lois Bray, Nepal 2000 Trip 

Dusty was born July 19, 1932 and grew up in North Carolina where she loved playing with her older brothers. She was a mischievous, self-confessed Tom Boy, climbing trees and earning the nickname ‘Dusty’ for her dusty blonde hair.

She attended the University of North Carolina, Greensboro where she earned her B.S. in physical education in 1954. Following graduation, she taught Physical Education at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia. During the on-campus filming of a movie, “A Man Called Peter,” about Scottish-American Peter Marshall, a Presbyterian minister and chaplain to the US Senate, Dusty appeared in a bit part. While working at Agnes Scott College, Dusty met her husband, Tem, during his studies at Georgia Tech. They were married at the college in 1958.

Tem’s railroad career took them back and forth across the country. Dusty’s energy, sense of humor, love of people and positive outlook allowed her to make contributions to these communities from Georgia to Oregon.  

While raising three children, Dusty enrolled in Iliff School of Theology. In 1976, Dusty earned her Master of Divinity degree and was only the second woman in Colorado to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church. She was called as third co-pastor and first woman head of staff at Montview in 1980. She went on to earn her Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1981. “Her obvious love of people, deep faith in God, sparkling personality and skills as a pastor were a perfect fit for Montview,” her family notes.  

Dusty retired from Montview in 2002 after more than 20 years of service and she and Tem moved to Venice, Florida. Not one to sit home, she became a  Presbyterian Visiting Pastor, serving for four years until finally retiring for good in 2008.  

In 2010, the desire to be closer to family brought Dusty and Tem back to Colorado to be near their daughter, Kathy. Shortly thereafter, Tem passed away. Dusty subsequently moved in with Kathy and enjoyed 13 more happy years in her busy and engaging household with many visits from her son, Greg, her grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Rev. Dr. Dusty Taylor passed away on October 10, 2023, peacefully at home in Aurora. She was 91 years old and in good spirits right until the end, remaining beautiful both inside and out. Her daughter Kathy Dusser and son Greg Taylor were with her. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Elizabeth Dusser, Kayla Taylor and Erik Taylor, and great-granddaughter Madison Dusser.

Her family requests that donations be sent to Montview Presbyterian Church in her memory, where they will be allocated among the endowment and the church’s missions, including the Women’s Homelessness Initiative, the Social Justice Ministry and More Light Presbyterians (the LGBTQIA+ ministry).

 – Submitted by Dusty’s Family