Obituary of Phyllis Mountain
This is the story of Phyllis, born in 1928 at the beginning of the Great Depression, she was part of the Greatest Generation – with a work ethic, belief system and resilience equal to none. Married in 1954, a mother later in life at 39 in 1967, and a widow in 1981.
Phyllis did things her way, and if that way did not exist, she paved the way. For her, it wasn’t a challenge it just needed to be changed. She left school at 16 to help her mother raise her family and begin her career at Schofield paper. She rose in the ranks of her profession, in a time when women were not at the forefront of the workplace, to become one of the first female managers with Atlantic Packaging, yet she always made time for her family between her work and business trips.
Sunday dinners were a staple, and she was an accomplished cook and baker. This tradition of Sunday dinner continued at her daughter’s house and was something she loved to attend. Every meal was created for her, every table and theme set in her honour.
She was fabulous, fancy and fierce.
She loved to travel with her friends and family and was always up for a shopping trip! She was a type A shopper, mowing down all in her path to get to the “store d’œuvres “ at Costco while taking no prisoners.
Eclectic in her entertainment choices, from the opera Carmen, to Game of Thrones and the animal planet – especially when they were hunting something.
Her tastes ran from her favourite – a great white wine, to her real favourite, Alpine beer. Cookies were her Kryptonite. Ganong Red Wrap chocolates were a food group to her.
Phyllis loved gardening, quilting and she was a fantastic seamstress. She enjoyed reading a good mystery or historical novel, gospel music, hymns, Christmas carols, photography, and was a wonderful amateur artist and of course, a perfectionist.
She sang in the choir of Trinity Church for decades. She was part of a bridge club for over 60 years. A Member of the ACW and the Pythian Sisters. She loved her auction 45 club, her quilting club, and her friendships – some spanning 85 years. She loved her church, St. Paul’s in Rothesay.
In her earlier years, she loved going out all night dancing with her husband Don, doing the jive and clearing the dance floor in the process. She would often say, in her last few months here on earth, she had to get ready to go out dancing.
Phyllis loved her animals, her Pomeranians, Taffy and Brandy (named after a favourite cocktail), her cats Meeko, Thai Pan and Boots. Later in life, her greatest joy was her dog Scampy whom her daughter jockeyed for first position daily.
She had a quick wit combined with a lack of filter that was immortalized on Facebook. She was tickled pink to think that even people who didn’t know her personally were enjoying her antics and Phyllisisms. She read every birthday greeting which was catalogued for her from social media and enjoyed them more than you could ever know. #PhyllisPhanClub That’s how we spell it. Unique – like her.
She was an incredible example of strength, courage and independence to all who knew her. She lived in her own house until 93. She generously supported many charities knowing how important it was to give back.
Words cannot describe our Phyllis.
A fierce lion of a woman.
An inspiration.
A leader.
A trailblazer.
One of a kind.
She called it like she saw it with a no-nonsense attitude.
She was a wonderful mother and friend.
To know Phyllis is to never forget her. She had an unforgettable laugh, a beautiful smile and was a formidable force. Although we are broken-hearted, we celebrate the legacy she leaves in her family and friends. Thank you to everyone who supported her on this, her toughest, journey.
Phyllis left this earth peacefully on December 15, with her daughter by her side. Today she walks with the angels and her Lord, reunited with her family in heaven, and at peace.
She leaves behind, not to mourn her death, but to celebrate her life: her daughter Pamela; son-in-law, Joe Comeau; goddaughter, Susan Teakles (Carm); her nieces: Debby Wood, Kerry Pace and Wendy Riefsnyder (Ken); nephews, Jeremy and Jason Hawton; as well as great-nieces, great-great-nieces, and so many wonderful friends and extended family.
Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Donald Ward Mountain; her mother, Kathleen Hawton (née Cochrane); her father, George Edward Hawton; her sister, Lita Shepherd; and brothers: Earle, Larry and Gordon Hawton.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who helped Phyllis in her last 2 years.
A special thank you to Father Paul of St. Paul’s Church in Rothesay.
Funeral services and a celebration of life for Phyllis will be held in Spring 2022 with advanced notice to be published in The Telegraph Journal.
Matthew 25:23
“Well done, good & faithful servant”
We love you Mom and we thank you for everything.
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me.”
With tearful eyes, we watched and saw you fade away.
Although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest.
God took you home to prove to us, He only takes the best.
Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). www.BrenansFH.com. Condolences may be sent to the family at pamelaevergreen@gmail.com.
1928 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Phyllis
Mountain 1928 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Saint John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick