Phyllis S. Usborne

Phyllis S. Usborne, of Hastings, died on March 26, 2023.
Born Phyllis Lauraine Sheffield on April 9, 1931, she was the daughter of Craig and Laurain (Blanchard) Sheffield.
She lived most of her life in Barry County, graduating from Hastings High School in 1949. She received her diploma from the Michigan County Normal Training School in 1951, and subsequently earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Western Michigan University.
On October 2, 1953, she married Alexander (Ike) Usborne at Emmanuel Episcopal Church; he preceded her in death in 2013.
Most people remember Phyllis as a teacher. Her career started in one-room schoolhouses in the Carlton Center area, later she was employed with the Hastings Area School System, teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grades during her tenure at Central Elementary School. She had a treadle Singer sewing machine in her classroom to make crafts, and often had student singalongs with her baritone ukelele. More than once, she would take a struggling student under her wing to help with reading and math comprehension after hours.
After retiring in 1986, she volunteered at the Penn-Nook Gift Shop at Pennock Hospital, where she enjoyed meeting people, managing and buying merchandise, and helping in the coordination of the shop's annual Christmas fundraiser. An active member of the Southwest District of the Michigan Association of Hospital Auxiliaries, she was the head of the board of directors from 1995-96.
An excellent seamstress, she made her oldest daughter's wedding gown and her younger daughter's maid of honor gown, in addition to her teacher's outfits and an occasional jacket for her husband.
She enjoyed hanging out at the backyard pool in summer with friends and family, occasionally hosting barbeques or spending long evenings sitting and talking with friends. She also enjoyed decorating her home (in all kinds of shades of white!), shopping and reading romance novels. She especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren – making their Halloween costumes, taking them shopping, making their favorite pasta, and attending their school functions and sports.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a brother (Gordon). She is survived by two daughters; Robin Usborne of Lansing and Amy Usborne (Stan Thieman) of Benzonia, grandchildren Jessie Bowen (Matt) and Mary Millsap (William Young V); step grandsons Andy Thieman (Kate) and Daniel Thieman (Christen), great-grandchildren Margot Bowen and William Young VI; sisters Anne Neeb, Virginia Henion and Vivian Sheffield, sister-in-law Myrna Sheffield; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to the staff at Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living in Hastings, and Gentiva Hospice of Grand Rapids for their excellent care of Phyllis. A celebration of life will be announced later.
Memorial contributions can be made to Senior Living Woodlawn, 1851 N. East St., Hastings, MI 49058, or the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. Online condolence can be left at www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.