SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Taylor Mae Mazurek, 20, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of Rockland, died unexpectedly Oct. 15, 2014, of natural causes in Springfield, Mo.

Born in Rockport on March 22, 1994, she was the daughter of Edward J. Mazurek Jr. and Laurie L. Taylor Mazurek.

A 2012 honor graduate of Celebration High School in Celebration, Fla., Taylor began her high school education at Georges Valley High School in Thomaston. She participated in varsity soccer and basketball at Georges Valley, and varsity soccer at Celebration, where she was a two-time recipient of the Double Threat award, in recognition of her foot skills on the soccer field. Taylor also achieved the rank of black belt in Tae Kwon Do, karate.

At the time of her death, Taylor was a third-year Dean's List student at Drury University in Springfield, majoring in psychology with minors in biology and communications. She was also a proud member of Kappa Delta Sorority, and loved her sisters there as family.

Never one to embrace negativity, Taylor always looked for the positive side, and brought it out in everything she did while leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

She was notorious among friends and family for her quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor. It's been said that there was no “sass” without Taylor.

A genuine and caring soul, Taylor had a great love for all animals and planned to make caring for them her life's work.

Taylor is survived by her parents, Edward J. Mazurek Jr. of Orlando, Fla., and Laurie Taylor Mazurek of Kissimmee, Fla.; her brother, Cameron M. Mazurek of Orlando, Fla.; her paternal grandparents, Edward and Maryellen Mazurek of Rockland; her maternal grandparents Larry and Linda Taylor of Kissimmee, Fla.; her uncles and aunts, Rich and Jenn Mazurek, Laura and Jesse Langford, Sarah Mazurek, and Brett and Diana Ross, all of Rockland, and their families; a special uncle, Paul Strout of Warren; and her Missouri family, including Ian Householder, the love of her life and man she planned to marry, his parents, Mark and Karla Householder, and a brother, Ty Householder, all of Sikeston, Mo.

Taylor also leaves behind a favorite quote: "I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality. I'd find you, and I'd choose you."

A balloon release in Taylor's memory, is planned for Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. at the Rockland Breakwater. A celebration of Taylor's life will be held that same day, at 6 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A reception will follow at the funeral home's 104 Limerock reception facility. Private interment will be in Village Cemetery in Thomaston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841, or to help further the education of others to Drury University, 900 N. Benton Ave., Springfield, MO 65802.