Miriam Taylor Henderson

Article Last Updated; Friday, November 06, 2009 12:34AM

Former Durango resident Miriam Taylor Henderson died in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. She was 90.

Known as "Mimi," she was born to L.L. and Pearl Taylor in Grand Junction on May 9, 1919. Her parents owned the Moab Times Independent, and she grew up in Moab. The Taylor house always was filled with music, and as young women, she and her sisters often would play and sing at local dances.

Mrs. Henderson graduated from the University of Utah and worked as an advertising manager for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City. She later worked for the Santa Fe New Mexican.

On Dec. 22, 1951, she married Zane Henderson in Santa Fe.

The family later moved to Denver, and, at the age of 50, Mrs. Henderson went back to school and earned a master's degree in business administration. After she completed her degree, the Henderson family moved to Durango and bought a hay farm. Shortly after the move, Mrs. Henderson was asked to teach at Fort Lewis College, which she did for almost 20 years. Her family said her door always was open to her students.

Shortly after her husband died in 1991, she moved to Idaho to be closer to her daughter and grandsons Ben and Matt Mors.

"They brought so much joy to her life," her daughter, Kristy Bowlden, wrote, "and she brought a real sense of family and caring to theirs ... and she baked the best apple pies in the world." At every one of her homes, Mrs. Henderson always had a thriving vegetable garden and beautiful roses. Her other interests included quilting, duplicate bridge and a love of cats.

"Mimi always had time to listen, great compassion for others, a dry wit and a wonderful sparkle in her eyes," Bowlden wrote.

Mrs. Henderson was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Zane Henderson.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristy Bowlden, of McCall, Idaho; brother, Sam Taylor, of Moab; two grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to plant a rose, grow a garden or send a memorial contribution to the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81303.