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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho veteran will be buried with her wife

Madelynn Lee Taylor cheers Wednesday after completing paperwork at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. (Betsy Russell)

After years of being denied, a Navy veteran will be allowed to be buried at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery next to her wife.

Wednesday was the third time 74-year-old Navy veteran Madelynn Lee Taylor visited the cemetery to make arrangements to be buried next to her late wife, Jean Mixner, but this time the outcome was different – Taylor completed all the necessary paperwork and an interment ceremony was set for Mixner for next week.

“It’s done!” a relieved Taylor said as she left the cemetery office, throwing both hands into the air in triumph.

Her original application for the burial had been denied, citing Idaho’s ban on recognition of same-sex marriage. Taylor and Mixner were legally married in California in 2008. But now that courts have overturned Idaho’s ban as unconstitutional, the state can legally recognize the two women’s marriage.

Taylor filed a federal lawsuit against the state over the denial, but the case is expected to be dismissed.

Cemetery Director James Earp welcomed Taylor to her appointment at the cemetery office today, helped her through the paperwork and congratulated her with a handshake when it was done.

Accompanied by her pastor, the Rev. Renee McCall of Liberating Spirit Metropolitan Community Church, her lawyer, Deborah Ferguson, and an array of friends and supporters, Taylor let her relief show.

“I just know she’s up there smiling and shining – she’s proud of you.” McCall told Taylor.