Phyllis English

1925 - 2015

Phyllis English passed away April 13, 2015 in Kettering, Ohio of natural causes.
Phyllis was born in Whittier, California on July 5, 1925. She enjoyed a wonderful upbringing on a ranch in what is now Pico Rivera. Phyllis had warm memories of life on the ranch including riding horses to the bowling alley and to movie theaters. She graduated from Whittier High School in 1943, where one of her teachers was future first lady, Pat Nixon. After high school, she enrolled at the University of Southern California. She joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority, where she developed many friendships that would last her entire lifetime. While at U.S.C., she met and fell in love with Jim English. They married on April 10 1948 and settled back in Whittier. Children soon followed; Jim, Lori & Brian were born in rapid succession.
While Jim was working in the aircraft fastener sales business, Phyllis provided a loving and caring home for the kids in Whittier. Summer vacations on Catalina and Balboa Island were the family staple and provided a lifetime of memories for everyone. In 1966, Jim accepted a promotion that brought the family to New Jersey for five years. Upon returning to Southern California, they settled in Corona del Mar, and enjoyed retirement at the beach. A few years after Jim's passing in 1999, Phyllis moved to Ohio to join her daughter Lori and her family. She enjoyed wonderful relationships with all of her seven grandchildren. Her two great grandchildren brought her much joy & happiness during her last few months.
Phyllis will always be remembered for her keen wit, her kindness, and her unconditional love for her family. She will be dearly missed by her family and everyone who knew her.
Phyllis is survived by her son Jim English and his wife Patti of Newport Beach, daughter Lori Kelch & her husband Steve of Spring Valley, Ohio, son Brian English & wife Meg of Irvine. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren Kim Singer (Chris), Jeff English (Haley), Lindsay Musgrove (Jordan), Erin English, Mike English, Matt English & Tori English. Lastly she is also survived by her two great grandchildren Nash Singer and Ella Musgrove.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 10:am Friday, July 10 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Irvine. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Families Forward in Phyllis' name.