Phyllis Trieber

Due to unforeseen Air Quality on Saturday, September 12, 2020, Service dates are rescheduled for Saturday, September 26th 11AM at St. Hilary Church inTiburon.

With profound sadness we announce the passing of our beautiful, loving, and devoted mother, Phyllis Trieber, on August 24, 2020. Through the lens of her deep faith and with a generous and affectionate heart, she was a friend to all whose lives she touched.
Phyllis Marie Modrich, born December 17th, 1931 was the only child and much adored daughter of Philip and Marie Modrich, owners for many years of the historic Mayes Oyster House, the second oldest continually operating restaurant in San Francisco. She attended Lincoln High, where she met the love of her life, and future husband Robert (Bob) Trieber, who preceded her in death in 2008, after 58 years of marriage.
In addition to numerous community volunteer and fundraising activities for the Red Cross, Women's Guild of Marin, PTA associations, and more, Phyllis was a devout practicing Catholic, attending Mass almost daily until constrained by her ailing health. For over 50 years Phyllis was an active member of the St. Hilary Church community, teaching catechism in the 60's and 70's, and later as a Eucharistic minister, and choir member for over 25 years. She was appointed Chairperson to the International Affairs Commission for the Nat'l Council of Catholic Women and was a Third Order Carmelite Nun, generously donating her time and resources to the Carmelite Monastery in San Rafael.
Mrs. Trieber, as she was fondly known by many generations of neighborhood children, was also an active citizen in her beloved communities of Belvedere/Tiburon, hosting many social and fundraising events over the years and earning a Silver Citizen award for her many contributions. She was an active member of the Tiburon Library, the Corinthian Yacht Club and a certified docent for the Angel Island Assoc. Alongside her husband, she for decades, assisted him in the apparel industry, first on the manufacturing side for their company "Mister Robert", and then on the retail side for their clothing boutiques owned in San Francisco, Larkspur and the many along Main Street in Tiburon.
In between volunteering, raising her family, and helping her husband with his business, she made time to go back to school, earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and English from Dominican University at age 53. She so enjoyed her other passions whether it be her Great Books Group, Scripture Group, writing short stories and poems, or painting - where her faith was always her inspiration.
Phyllis achieved all of this quietly and without need for recognition. She gave tirelessly of herself to her family, her community, her friends, her children's friends, and anyone she met. She embodied and exemplified the Christian values that she practiced by living a life of devotion to others - with grace, kindness, and extraordinary style. She was one of a kind in every way and will be sorely missed by all who crossed her path. May God rest her soul.
She leaves her three beloved children and their spouses, Linda Trieber Lowe of Novato (Thom), Richard Trieber of Novato (Cinder), and Lisa Trieber Fonarow of San Rafael (Bruce), her adored six grandchildren, Molly Lowe Lara (Andres), Annie Lowe, Robert C. Trieber II, Richard R. "R.J." Trieber, and Kira and Amy Fonarow. She also leaves many extended family members, including the Volpe family and her cherished Levinson cousins Diane and Jon, and their three children Randy (Jackie), Rob (Carmen), and Dani-Sue (Richard) and their loving families.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Saint Hilary Church in Tiburon. The service will be outdoors, with socially distant seating under protective canopies (masks required & facilities for emergency use only). Please arrive early to account for the check-in protocol and please enter Saint Hilary's via the 2nd entrance (1st right "after" Hilary Drive).
Phyllis will be laid to rest beside her husband at Mt. Olivet's in San Rafael at a privately held family ceremony the following week. Memorial gifts in Phyllis's memory can be made to Saint Hilary Church, 761 Hilary Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920.

Assisted by Monte's
Chapel of the Hills,
San Anselmo
415-453-8440

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 3 to Sep. 6, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Phyllis Trieber

Sponsored by Monte's Chapel Of The Hills.

12 Entries

Genny Harris (Trieber)

February 18, 2022

Full of grace and beauty not only outside but inside, one of the most amazing women I have met in my life. Darling Phyllis it was an honor to love you and know you, I will miss our talks and your laughter you were like a second mother to me, I´m so great full for the lessons you taught me, I will always remember your wisdom

Jodi and Steven

September 24, 2020

We will always remember Phyliss for her beauty and her strength who loved life, her family and her community. May her memories be a blessing to all of you- Jodi and Steve

Gloria Cruz

September 11, 2020

I knew phyllis for lat 20 years of her life. Remember fondly our art classes together at my house on the Lagoon as well as serving together as Eucharistic ministers. As the days and weeks pass, may you and all the family be comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Lisa Fonarow

September 11, 2020

Thank you all sharing your very kind words & memories about my beloved Mother. I miss her so but I know she is now in God's hands. Due to poor air quality Saint Hilary's moved her service to 11:00 a.m. on the 26th of Sept. Sincerely, Lisa Fonarow (Trieber)

The Long Stem Pink Rose Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Alice Shelton

Sent Flowers

Bob Peters

September 9, 2020

As Phyllis' friend for over 70 years, I have been recalling a good many of the wonderful times that she, Bob, my wife Jean, and I shared. Perhaps, what makes those memories especially poignant is that in 1949 it was beautiful Phyllis who "fixed me up" for a blind date with Jean. I regret that I don't recall properly thanking her...

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Robert Peters

Sent Flowers

Linda Luchessa

September 8, 2020

To my dear friends Lisa and Bruce,
I was blessed to have spent a bit of time with your mother, she reminded me so much of my mother as her faith and early years were very similar and their devote commitment to her children and extended families. The obituary on this page could not have been written more beautifully, she was everything and more stated. My heart and prayers are with you during this time.

Karen Johanson

September 7, 2020

Phyllis and my mom, Pat Johanson, were high school friends. The Girls, as they referred to their group, were still getting together for annual lunches up until a few years ago. I was honored to meet Phyllis at a few of the luncheons I was lucky enough to attend. Phyllis was a lovely lady who brightened up the room when she came in. That she was part of a group of friends that stayed together for over 60 years says a lot. I know my mom loved her. Please accept my sincere condolences on your mother's passing.

Diane Lindauer-Levinson

September 6, 2020

My dear cousin Phyllis, who came into my life when I was 10 and she married my adored cousin, Bob Trieber, became a very important person my life. Phyllis was the "matchmaker" person responsible for me meeting my future husband, Jon Levinson, in 1964. She just "knew" that our meeting would lead to marriage. And 56 years later, here we are mourning her passing. In my memory she is still the movie star beautiful 18 year old marrying my very handsome 1st cousin.
With love from Cousins Diane and Jon

Maria Gallagher

September 6, 2020

Dear Lisa,

So sorry to hear about your Mom. What an incredible, sweet and wonderful woman. I think about your great Mom and remember her walking us up to the Organ Lady Estate on top of Belvedere Island. We did get to go in and walk around...in my mind FOREVER...what fun for a kid in 7th grade!

All my best Maria Gallagher

Lura F

September 4, 2020

What a cherished memory it will always be to think back on the days of innumerable slumber parties, hang-outs, and special occasions on Buckeye Rd. We all wanted to be there more than anyone else's house because Mrs. Trieber was the coolest, nicest, prettiest, most fun mom in the world. It was my privilege to continue to know her for another 40 years and she never lost a step. She made all of our lives infinitely richer and will be so missed by so many. Love love and more love to my Trieber bestie (you know who you are :-) - and the entire extended Trieber family. xox lulu

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