Phyllis Mary Robinson

Phyllis Mary Robinson was born in Coalhurst, Alberta, on September 19, 1927. She was the second child and first daughter of Adam and Margaret (Kerr) Robinson. She is survived by brother Alan and sister-in-law, Jill Robinson, and many nieces and nephews (great and grand). She was predeceased by her younger sisters Margaret (Don) Berry and Grace Robinson, nieces Gale Robinson and Kathy Robinson and grandnephew, Keith Robinson.

Auntie Phyllis moved with her family to Burnaby in 1940, following other extended family members who had relocated in previous years. She graduated from Burnaby South High School and then attended the Pitman Business School where she learned the skills that would lead to her employment with the Burnaby School Board, first at Burnaby North and then Burnaby Central High School, from which she retired as senior stenographer.

Shortly after starting her first position at Burnaby North High School, Phyllis told her father that she would have to quit because the bus ride to and from work was too long. He told her that she should keep the job and learn to drive. She did, and she loved the independence that gave her. She drove to work, but also to Lethbridge to visit cousins, to Winnipeg to visit her niece, to the Sunshine Coast to visit friends... Have car, will travel.

She was an adventurous traveler by other means as well. She had wonderful memories of travelling up the B.C. coast on the yacht Walvermar, with the Lewis family. She canoed around the Bowron Lakes with Alan and Jill and six of her nieces and nephews in 1968. She toured Europe (more than once). She flew to New York and on to Bermuda (her favourite place on Earth). In 2006, she drove with family across Canada, camping most of the way. She celebrated her 79th birthday on the road and said often that it was a most wonderful journey.

Although she thought of herself as an introvert, she made many friendships that lasted lifetimes. Some of those friends, particularly Maryon Lewis and Patricia Fraser, were wonderful travelling companions.

Phyllis was a renowned seamstress and knitter, and generously used her skills to dress many wedding parties.

After retirement Phyllis moved to White Rock to share a home with her sister Margaret and brother-in-law, Don Berry. This gave her the opportunity to spend time with Margaret's sons and grandchildren. After Margaret's passing, Phyllis moved to Maple Ridge to be closer to her brother, Alan, and his family. She returned to White Rock and, recently, to Abbotsford's Hallmark on the Lake retirement home.

Phyllis will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews Marilyn Robinson, Gale (Drew Bodaly) Robinson, Kathy (Ross Halliday) Robinson, Donald(Nerissa) Robinson, Alan (Marion) Robinson, David ( Jennifer) Robinson, Theresa (Bob) Manning, Rick (Tracey) Berry, Doug (Bernadette) Berry, Ken (Nicole) Berry and Dave (Edie) Berry and their families.

Phyllis's flight to Bermuda has departed. May she have a safe flight.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OceanViewFuneral.com for the Robinson family.