Phyllis Anne MACDONALD

MACDONALD, Phyllis Anne (Skagerberg), 84, of Oro Valley passed in the presence of family April 11, 2018. She was born May 13, 1933 in Detroit, MI. She attended Albion College, University of Michigan, and Arizona State University earning B.A. and M.A degrees in education. She taught in elementary grades in Tempe and Amphi Schools; later helping to found the gifted education program in the Amphi District. After retiring from the classroom, Phyllis worked in Amphi's Career Ladder and Gifted programs, in educational publishing, and as a National Board Member for Future Problem Solving Program Int. She was a passionate educator, teacher mentor, and lifelong learner. She volunteered for the Desert Museum, Western National Parks Assoc., and OLLI. Phyllis was devoted to her family and is survived by her children, John MacDonald (Sherri West) of Santa Barbara, CA, Deborah Turner (Bruce) of Boise, ID, Sarah Hays (Mark) of Tucson, Elizabeth MacDonald (Paul Folwell) of Marana; sister, Lois Heller (Robert) of Duluth, MN; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions can be made to the Amphi Foundation, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, or Tohono Chul Park.