Honoring the life and legacy of Taylor Ryan Rex

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Taylor Ryan Rex, 24, was the kind of person who wanted to leave places brighter than she found them – a young woman whose compassion, curiosity and spirit shaped every community she touched. Friends remember her as exceptional, kind and passionate; those close to her simply called her Tay (or T-Rex). In her many travels, such as wandering through misty forests of the Pacific Northwest, studying the intricate ecosystems of Costa Rica, or cruising along the Rhine River, Taylor moved through the world with curiosity, intention and a deep commitment to understanding the environment she loved.

Raised in Honolulu, Taylor grew up with muddy feet and sun-drenched skin – hallmarks of a childhood spent outdoors. Summer travels with family on the continent shaped her sense of wonder, while the gardens of the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum also became a backdrop of her early adventures. She and her siblings began as campers, some even returning as counselors, and built the kind of memories that shape a person for life.

“Lyon has always been a sanctuary for our family,” her mom, Jamie Swan, shared. “It’s where my kids learned, played, explored and where they felt safe. When Taylor passed, Lyon Arboretum immediately provided a healing place to mourn. It’s a place filled with happy memories – a space where the family can go to remember Taylor.”

Taylor carried that love of the natural world into her academic path. A Punahou School graduate and Environmental Studies major at Seattle University, she excelled both in scholarship and in purpose. She earned the university’s prestigious President’s Award, graduated Magna Cum Laude, and devoted her studies to urban agriculture, sustainability and social advocacy. Her work reflected her intellect and her instinctive drive to care for people and the planet.

While Taylor’s life ended far too soon on October 19, 2025, the spirit she brought to her relationships, her studies and the natural spaces she cherished continues to resonate.

In celebration of that spirit, Taylor’s family invites gifts to the Raymond F. Baker Endowed Fund for Grounds and Living Collections at the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum (Fund 12577102). Contributions will support the vitality, preservation and ongoing care of the gardens that shaped Taylor’s childhood and anchored her family’s most meaningful moments.

By supporting this fund, donors help ensure that Lyon Arboretum remains a place of discovery, solace and inspiration for generations to come – just as it was for Taylor.