Phyllis M. Morris

July 14, 1938 - November 11, 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of Phyllis Morris. Phyllis will be greatly missed by her legion of friends and family; she had a selfless nature, a sympathetic ear and as her childhood friend said, "she was the kind of friend everyone wishes they had".

Phyllis was born the youngest of four in rural Prince Edward Island. Her older siblings were in their teens when she was born, and she was raised mostly by her mother. Phyllis had many stories of hardship during her younger years but also fond memories of exploring the countryside of PEI with her best friend Joan. Following the example of her ambitious sisters Norma and Muriel, she sought higher education. She studied Laboratory Technology in the Maritimes and followed her sister Norma to Vancouver where she studied at UBC and received a B.A. in English. Phyllis worked as a laboratory technologist to help put herself though school and became Manager of Microbiology at Lions Gate Hospital. She reveled in the relatively cosmopolitan atmosphere of 1960's Vancouver and also enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews. She eventually found the love of her life on a blind date and ended up marrying David Morris in 1967. A move to Victoria followed by the birth of her son Eric prompted Phyllis to take a break from her career. During this time, Phyllis joined the Quadra Elementary School PTA and spearheaded the successful initiative to close Fifth Street adjacent to the school, thereby providing safe passage for students to the school's playing fields in perpetuity. Eventually, Phyllis returned to work as a laboratory technologist at a private lab in Victoria. She enjoyed a well-earned retirement in which she did extensive travelling with David and was able to devote time to hobbies. Her favorite hobby was watercolour painting; highlights of which were bi-weekly painting sessions with her friend Nel and her annual production of hand-painted Christmas cards. She eventually became sufficiently proficient to put on an art show and sale with proceeds donated to charity. After David passed away in 2013, Phyllis lived with Eric, his wife Renee, grandchildren Devon and Colin and a beloved pair of cats. Unfortunately her last years were marred by poor health (ovarian cancer), but that didn't stop her from taking pleasure in life, especially time spent with friends and family.

A celebration of Phyllis' life will be held on January 6th, 2018 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Gorge Vale Golf Club.