Phyllis Berntson McMullin

1920 ~ 2011
Phyllis Berntson McMullin 1920-2011 passed away October 12, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 91.
With Phyllis's passing, the world lost an exceptionally warm and generous woman: a woman whose special gift was to comfort and strengthen all those she knew. Phyllis was born in a small log cabin in May, Idaho on October 8, 1920, the third child of John Berntson and Alice Wilson (Erma) Berntson. She attended East High School and the University of Utah where she received a bachelor's degree in Education. While there she affiliated with Delta Gamma Sorority and was elected both Freshman Class Secretary and later Student Body Secretary. While working as a reporter for the "Chronicle" newspaper, she met and fell in love with Robert L. McMullin, the business manager for the "Chronicle". Both Bob and Phyllis were chosen to be members of the Beehive Honor Society. They were married on August 14th, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple.
In 1973 Phyllis was called to serve on the Primary General Board and served there until 1980. Scouting was always dear to Phyllis's heart and she received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Boyhood by the Great Salt Lake Council in 1977. In 1990, at age 70 she served as a Senior Missionary in the Raleigh North Carolina Mission. She also served as a Joseph Smith Memorial Building hostess during the 1990's. Phyllis always found ways to be involved to help people in need. She possessed an extraordinary ability to connect with others and to establish immediate bonds based on her genuine desire to know and serve others. She devoted over thirty years caring for her sweetheart Bob who was disabled by Parkinson's disease.
Phyllis was predeceased by her husband Robert Lehman McMullin, her parents, John and Erma Berntson; her sisters: Norma Ashton, Dorothy Watkiss, Betty Jean Olsen; her brothers: John and Keith Berntson and grandsons: Dan Thomas and Eli McMullin. She is survived by her sister Margaret Davis (Wally), and her children Margaret Thomas (David), Robert M. McMullin (Gail), Bruce McMullin (Jean), Marilyn (Lyn) McMullin, Diane Tanner (Jay), Nancy Jane McMullin and foster son Shahram Takmili (Christine). She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express appreciation to the many care givers at Alta Ridge Assisted Living.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Cottonwood Memorial Mortuary, 4670 Highland Dr. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 at the Foothill Stake Center, 1932 So. 2100 East at noon, preceded by a visitation beginning at 10:30 am.