Phyllis Maitre

1920 - 2010

Phyllis Lorraine Bohnenberger was born on March 16, 1920 in Salem, Ore. She died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on December 20, 2010 at the Emeritus Living Nursing Home (formerly Brighton Gardens) in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She lived her formative years in Chicago, Ill. In her early twenties, she and her sister moved to Southern California where she found work in the personnel office of Lockheed Aircraft. There she met a handsome young Air Force pilot, Thomas O. Maitre, who soon became her husband. After the war ended, they began their family of five who were amongst the first wave of baby boomers. They raised their family in Monterey Park, Calif. and were actively involved in St. Stephens Catholic Church, the Monterey Park Girls Drum and Bugle Corps, and Boy Scouts. Phyllis is remembered for her remarkable sense of joy, kindness, and good humor. Her love of music and old movies (particularly Jeannette McDonald and Nelson Eddy) brought her continual joy. She is survived by her brother, Jack Bohnenberger of Alhambra, Calif., a noted and prominent watercolor artist; her five children, Thomas O. Maitre Jr. and his wife, Ellie of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, Marjorie A. Kussman and her husband, Richard of Palm Desert, Calif., Regina Dorman and Patricia Maitre of Yucaipa, Calif. and Suzanne Maitre of Monterey. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Lenika Dorman, Thomas Dorman, James Dorman, Rory Monahan, Ryan Monahan, Rusty Reed; step-grandchildren Craig and Rick Kussman, and Andy and Scott Hall; and two great-grandchildren, Rory Monahan and Isabell Reed. The family wishes to extend their true gratefulness and thanks to the loving and caring staff in the Reminiscent Unit and throughout the Emeritis Living Nursing Home (formerly Brighton Gardens) in Rancho Mirage, into whose care she was entrusted for the last 21 months. She was truly loved by their staff and many called her "Mama". I'm sure she will be greatly missed by us all. Phyllis never remarried, and we know she is now happily joined in heaven with her husband and our father, Tom, who passed away in 1976 at the young age of 53.

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