Phyllis B. Wilson

WILSON, BLACKMAN, BEALS, SIBLEY

Posted By: Eleanor Borkenhagen (email)
Date: 5/9/2008 at 09:36:07

Los Angeles Times
06 Nov 2007
PHYLLIS B. WILSON
Phyllis B. Wilson passed away November 2, 2007 at her home in Pasadena, aged 84. She was born Phyllis Jean Blackman on September 13, 1923 in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Jay V. Blackman and Bethel Beals. An elementary school teacher for 25 years, Phyllis was a devoted mother and grandmother, as well as a warm and supportive counselor to numerous friends across generation.
Phyllis attended school in Iowa City and was graduated from the University of Iowa in 1945. That year she married Robert J. Wilson and moved with him to the Pasadena area where she remained for the rest of her life. After her divorce from Robert in 1955 she raised their two children and taught in the Pasadena public schools until her retirement in 1982.
Phyllis was an attractive, talented, and vivacious woman. She was an accomplished soprano soloist in her youth and a lifelong voracious reader who loved language and the arts. A homebody, who lived in the same Upper Hastings ranch house for 56 years, she nevertheless remained curious about and involved in the wider world, keeping in constant phone contact with her wide circle of friends. She loved her dogs and enjoyed life to the hilt. Though her later years were complicated by diabetes and blindness, Phyllis was invariably cheerful and optimistic, aided by her lively sense of humor. She was immensely proud of her two children, both of whom live in Seattle, WA. They were in turn devoted to her and were at her side at the end, as were her wonderful longtime caregivers.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter Kathleen Wilson (Randy Sibley), her son Richard Wilson (Catherine), and four grand children, Elliot Sibley, Meredith Sibley, Thomas Wilson, and Charles Wilson. Her sister Virginia Blackman predeceased her in 2002.
A celebration of her life for family and friends will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, or online at www.diabetes.org.