Phyllis Jean Bryson

Phyllis Jean (Noble) Bryson

Phyllis Jean (Noble) Bryson, 87, died Sunday, February 6, 2011 at home in Snohomish, WA with her family close by, having been in hospice care. Her wishes were for no formal ceremony to mark her passing, but her family plans a gathering this spring to celebrate her life.
She was born June 5, 1923 to Earl Anderson and Lucile Farrell in Lakefield, Minnesota. She assumed the surname Noble after Lucile's remarriage. She attended elementary and high schools in Southern California and Idaho. She graduated from Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon in 1945, majoring in Physical Education with an emphasis in teaching. Her athletic abilities had served her well, as she was an Idaho State Tennis Champion and a great all around athlete prior to her higher education. She received academic scholarships to several colleges, as she was brainy too.
In 1945 she married dashing Air Force officer Richard William Bryson. They moved to Spokane, WA where their first child, Kayleen, was born. Later residences included Lake Sammamish and also West Seattle where their second child, Richard Douglas, was born. Phyllis was a stay-at- home mom, serving as PTA president and being involved in her children's activities, then returning to teaching in 1966. She retired from Seattle Public Schools in 1988 after continuing to work following the death of her husband in 1979. In 1989 she moved to Snohomish, WA where she was active in Snohomish Senior Center as one of their first presidents, a member of Snohomish Historical Society and Snohomish Friends of the Library. She was a member of Monroe Congregational UCC Church.
She is survived by daughter, Kayleen (Nels Borg) Bryson, Snohomish; son, Richard "Skip" (Nathalie) Bryson, Snohomish; and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; as well as her sister, Mildred Hinchy, of Clatskanie, Oregon.