We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Phyllis Amy Thompson (née Terry) on Feb 10, 2021 at the age of 95. Predeceased by her husband Alfred and grandson Matthew. Survived by daughter Tracy (Dave), son Brent, 3 grandchildren, Amanda (Matt), Celeste and Adam(Sam) as well as 3 great grandchildren, Ash, Eli, Reed and soon to be baby Sonic as well as Dave’s 2 daughters Sharon and Debbie and their families, sister in-law Pauline as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Vancouver on September 27th 1925 as the youngest of 7 children. The family moved to New Westminster where Mom eventually graduated and then started working at Spencer’s department store and Eaton’s. In the fall of 1952, Mom met Dad and they were married soon after in the spring of 1953. They became avid followers of the New Westminster Salmonbellies lacrosse team and loved to camp, bowl and dance.
In 1961 my brother, Brent, joined the family and then I (Tracy) followed in 1962 and the family settled in Coquitlam. With our arrivals, Mom became a stay-at-home mom and she made her life all about us. From joining us at our school field trips to picking us up on rainy days to having our favorite snacks ready when we came home from school, Mom always found a way to be there for us and show us she cared. She was also a dutiful volunteer with the Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse association while we played. Growing up, we spent many carefree summers at Teepee Trailer Park at Cultus Lake and, later, at Paradise Lakes in the US which brought my parents much happiness with a great deal of friends. She was also a regular canvasser for the Heart & Stroke Fdn and Canadian Cancer Fnd.
Mom was the ultimate hostess, an amazing cook and an even better baker. Hosting Woodward’s staff parties and friends and family get-togethers always made our home lively and fun. As us kids got older, Mom and Dad took to travelling, especially cruising. They were platinum members with both Holland America and Princess Cruise lines. They met many life-long friends (Peter & Leeann) on their travels and had great times along the way. However, being a grandma was what Mom was born to be.
She loved all of her grandchildren and couldn’t wait to see them, talk to them, and play with them. She happily spoiled them with affection and treats any chance she got. As they got older she beamed with pride with all their accomplishments. Without Mom, I could not have succeeded in being a single parent. She was always there to take the kids to appointments, attend school and sports functions, and babysit when they were sick or while I attended school. Her grand mothering abilities and capacity for love only increased as she became a great-grandmother.
We eventually started travelling together and over the years Mom and I took at least 19 trips together as well as spending many weeks at our family home in Arizona. Mom loved to snowbird there and you would find her working on her tan every afternoon by the pool with a rum and coke in hand.
Mom made the decision to move into The Wesbrooke Independent Living Home in Pitt Meadows seven years ago where she absolutely flourished. She again made many new friends and we always seemed to have a hard time reaching her on the telephone as she was frequently on outings or at activities like bingo and crib, but by far her favorite were the monthly trips to the casino. We always joked, “Show mom a slot machine and you would see how fast she could still move”.
This last year had been a hard one for Mom. While she was kept safe from Covid 19 , she was truly a victim of COVID-19 as she found herself isolated in her room, activities often cancelled, and missed out on visits with family and friends and Sunday dinners with us which all took its toll. In December of 2020, Mom was hospitalized. As a family, we decided to bring Mom home with us and spend whatever time she had left. We spent days playing crib or Yahtzee, watching “The Price is Right”, “Family Feud” as well as hockey and football, and facetiming with family and friends at every opportunity. Mom peacefully passed away in our home surrounded by love. Our family will miss her tremendously but we are so thankful to have 95 years of a life well-lived to look back on and relish in. Mom was truly an angel. Due to covid restrictions no service at this time but mom’s life was too big to not be honoured, a service will be held at a later date. Special thanks to Dr G. Da Roza, Dr L. Hatlelid and the Wesbrooke Home in Pitt Meadows for their wonderful care over the last few years.
“You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
I’m everything I am because you loved me”