Family, friends gather outside Weyauwega parish
By Angie Landsverk
Family and friends of Taylor Folk gathered outside Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in late June to remember the young woman with a big smile.
Taylor passed away last Aug. 30, due to complications from surgery.
It was days before she was to start her senior year at Weyauwega-Fremont High School.
The June 28 tree planting followed a Mass that recognized members of this year’s senior class.
John and Sara Folk, Taylor’s parents, attended with their children and other family members.
The Folks are members of the parish.
Many of the seniors wore their “Play for Tay” T-shirts to the church.
“It was emotional to see them all walking in, wearing them,” John said. “We still get quite choked up when we see that.”
Taylor played volleyball, basketball and softball.
The parish honored the graduates, and gave each a sign with the word “trust” on one side and “smile” on the other side.
John said Taylor often signed notes or yearbook entries with the phrase “laugh and smile every day.”
The tree planting took place after the Mass.
A paper white birch tree was chosen because white was Taylor’s favorite color, John said.
The tree is from the parish’s youth group.
The bench placed in front of it is from the parish’s SCRIP program.
Proceeds from the sale of gift cards were used to purchase it, John said.
He said a necklace with a cross on it that Taylor often wore will be affixed to the bench.
A picture called “First Day in Heaven” was also placed in the church’s narthex in memory of Taylor.
John said he and Sara feel like they are surrogate parents to many members of the senior class and want to keep that connection.
The family created a scholarship foundation in Taylor’s memory.
People may visit www.4ever25strong.org for information about it.
Katie Bleck received the first scholarship, and a 5K run/walk is planned for Sept. 26, in Fremont.
John said they believe Taylor continues to inspire people.
“We had one of her former elementary teachers contact us shortly after her passing to let us know that she is back to teaching religious education at her church because of Taylor, something she gave up years ago,” he told the Waupaca County Post. “Recently, a classmate of Taylor’s told me that he had no intention of furthering his education after graduating, but inspired by Taylor and what she had planned for her own future, he and his mom felt he needed to try. He applied to a college, has been accepted and will attend this fall.”
John said they love hearing such stories.
“We believe that even after her passing, Taylor continues to make a difference in the world,” he said.