Unusual lass, our Phyllis was.

Unusual and yet wonderful!

Unusual in ways such as, unlike the rest of the family, she really didn’t want to start school.  I think most of us saw it as a rite of passage and wanted to get on with it.   Phyllis didn't – she just didn't want to go!

After a tearful, first day walk to school, mum introduced her to the teacher which resulted in an even firmer resolve not to stay.  So mum resorted to logic, “Look, everyone goes to school until they are sixteen, that’s just the way it is.”   Phyllis appeared subdued and after following mum to the school gate, to bid farewell, with her face planted between the bars she tearfully, but as bravely as she could muster, called out to mum, ”you won’t forget to come and get me when I’m sixteen, will you???” 

As I said, unusual ….. but wonderful!   You could not meet anyone with a bigger heart than Phyllis.  While she could be gruff on the outside, she was pure gold inside.  This internal goodness was best demonstrated in her fostering career, where she cared dutifully and beyond expectations for over 24 babies and young children.  I do believe her heart broke a little, every time a baby moved on to a new situation.  However, two recipients of her care, devotion and affection are here today.   Her two beautiful daughters, Hope and Amanda, whom she raised into strong, capable women.

Another expression of her quirkiness was her capability and passion for projects – anyone who’s been to the lovely home she built and shared with her equally capable partner, Alan, can have no doubt that all the unusual and wonderful structures and modifications, to what ostensibly is a simple semi-detached house, have Phyllis’ unique mark on them – from the blue toilet to the swinging rope bridge.   And who can forget her offerings of unique gifts and presents at Christmas and for Birthdays?? – macramé hanging baskets and electric shoe polishers number among them.  And how she just loved to search out novel and unusual item from the many assorted charity shops that she frequented.   When she, Alan and Amanda visited me in San Francisco, which was a city she cared nothing for, except it provided a new set of charity shops to tour ever day.  The final day of the visit it was necessary to purchase another suitcase to carry home the heavy score of swag from the USA!!  Alan also told me that on the way home from her first visit to the hospice she asked for a quick stop at the Blackhall charity shop – since she’d been out of action 2 weeks and a new stock of items would be in!!

But cancer took her too soon.  Just as her daughters were striding into life.  Just as her grandchildren were a continual source of pleasure, amusement, and affection.  Just as she should have been slowing down and taking her time to reap the rewards of what she created in her home, and family, and for those around her. 

We’ll miss her, her unusual gifts, her unusual quirks and her very good heart – I'm proud to call her family and say that I loved her.

Erica x

Yes, she walked like an angel, she talked like an angel, she looked like an angel but I got wise, she's the devil in disguise!

I did love her to bits, I just didn't always know why......I miss her like an arm!

Alan........X