Phyllis E Gray
October 30, 1948 – February 10, 2022
It is with a heavy heart that I say farewell to my wife Phyllis, my soulmate of 46 years. After a journey with pancreatic cancer for the past year and three months Phyllis passed away at Victoria Hospice on February 10, 2022.
Phyllis overcame many obstacles in her lifetime, with determination and a smile on her face, and caring in her heart. Phyllis faced those challenges head on, unfortunately this was one obstacle that Phyllis could not overcome.
This poem from the C.A.R.E. Funeral Services website is what Phyllis believed.
God saw you getting tired,
And the cure was not to be
So he wrapped you in his loving arms
And whispered, “Come with me.”
You suffered much in silence
Your spirit did not bend
You faced your pain with courage
Until the very end.
You tried so hard to stay with us
Your fight was all in vain
God took you in his loving arms
And saved you from all the pain.
Phyllis gained many friends along life’s path. One of those friends she met very early in her childhood in the Toronto neighbourhood of Alderwood. Marion Halpenny (nee Holtham) and her family befriended Phyllis. Phyllis told me that she always thought of Marion’s mother, Edna Holtham as her surrogate mother. Marion and the rest of the Holtham family have remained lifelong friends to Phyllis.
Phyllis had five brothers, (predeceased) by Jimmy, Syd, Phillip and Ray Tilbrook. She leaves behind her brother Calvin Tilbrook. Phyllis had two sons, was (predeceased) by her son Robert Berry and leaves behind her son Glen Berry. Phyllis leaves behind many cousins, sister’s in-law, brothers’ in-law, nieces and nephews, God children, and many friends, all of whom she wished that she could spend more time with.
Phyllis loved people, nature, hiking in the mountains, walks by the ocean, and all the creatures above and below, well most. Phyllis loved sports of all kinds and volunteered with Skate Canada for many years. Phyllis learned to SCUBA dive, race Go-Karts (real racing). Phyllis became very competitive at 10 pin bowling, and we attended Bowling Tournaments in Canada and the USA. Phyllis loved the great outdoors, fishing, camping and sitting by the campfire with me gazing up at the stars.
I would sincerely like to thank Dr Jean Maskey, Dr Cheryl Cuddeford, Dr Andrew Singh, Dr Xin Feng, Dr Allison Ross, Dr Sunil Parimi, Dr Tara McCallan, Dr Christine Jones, Dr Kara Schneider and all the many other doctors involved with Phyllis’s care through this journey.
I also want to thank the many nurses and the rest of team at the BC Cancer Clinic in Victoria, the VIHA Palliative Care homecare team, the Palliative Care team at the Royal Jubilee Hospital 8th Floor south, the Victoria Hospice team of doctors, nurses, counsellors and volunteers for all the care and compassion given Phyllis.
I have set up an “In Memory” page for Phyllis on the Victoria Hospice website, instead of flowers or cards please donate to the Victoria Hospice, the BC Cancer Clinic or any other charity of your choice.
The Memorial Service will be on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at I:00 PM to be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 701 Mann Avenue, Victoria, BC
“With All My Love Forever”
Glen
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Phyllis Enid Gray Tilbrook 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique