Phyllis Lorene Monroe Wherry

On Saturday morning, November 15th, 2014, heaven got a little brighter as Phyllis Lorene Wherry finished her visit to our world and entered life eternal. Surrounded by her children, her battle with cancer ended with great peace, love and hope, a fitting end for this woman who brought a smile to all who crossed her path.

Phyllis Lorene Wherry was born in Oberlin, Kansas on April 23 1932 to Jesse Albert Monroe and Ethyl Fern Hindman Monroe. Her mother died in childbirth a year later in 1933. Jesse and Phyllis left Kansas in 1935, moving to Lake Tahoe and later settling in Placerville, California. Jesse married Wilma Swisher in 1936 and they were blessed with four children, siblings for Phyllis, Orland (Bud), Allison, Newell and Delores.

In 1948 Phyllis moved to New Plymouth, Idaho to complete her High School education. She worked as a nanny and a housekeeper to help provide her room and board. During her junior year, she met and fell in love with Robert G. Wherry and by the end of that year they were engaged. She graduated from New Plymouth H.S. in 1951 and Bob and Phyllis spontaneously decided since the family was all in town, to have a wedding the following day, May 27th 1951.

After living a short time in Cottage Grove, Oregon, Bob and Phyllis returned to New Plymouth and spent the rest of their life calling it home. In June of 1952, their first child was born, Jeffrey Ben and on October 10th of the following year they moved into the house on the Boulevard that they would live in for over 60 years. Their second son, Bruce Douglas was born the following day! In 1958 the boys got their first sister, Deborah Ann and in 1961, another sister, Tina Marie was born.

Phyllis stayed at home the first few years of the children’s lives, working a few jobs around town before she went to work for the Post Office in 1967, where she served both as a clerk and as a route carrier until she retired after 20 years of service in 1987.

During the years, the family enjoyed a variety of activities with camping being one of the family favorites. There were many weekend trips to the mountain lakes of McCall, Cascade and Donnelly with family and close friends. Phyllis usually had her camera in tow, as she grew her talents as a photographer including working in her own dark-room.

In 1976, Bob and Phyllis celebrated their 25 years of marriage with a trip to Hawaii and they also enjoyed visits to central Oregon and the Oregon Coast.

In the later years, Bob and Phyllis were blessed with 17 grandchildren and in recent years multiple great-grandchildren. Phyllis received great joy from watching them grow; often mentioning she wished she had just a portion of their energy!

Bob passed away in July of 2006 on his birthday, and life changed quite a bit for Phyllis. After 55 years together, she wanted to keep busy so she found a new hobby working with stained glass. This was a great outlet for her creative talents and her family and friends were the glad recipients of her artwork and creations.

Phyllis also kept herself busy on her computer, lunch with friends, attending family celebrations, etc. In later years, trips to California to see her siblings, a trip to New York State for a grandson’s wedding, several trips to the Oregon Coast with family and a trip to Hawaii with family were some highlights for her. She still had several items on her bucket list, but she was quick to share what a wonderful life she had been privileged to have.

Her last spoken words were to her children, “I love you all so much”, which makes sense in light of her favorite quote, “The most precious jewels you’ll ever have hanging around your neck are the arms of your children.” Truly, she left this world, with love beyond words from her children, family and friends. We are all so grateful to have shared life together with her.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Jeff (Mary Jane) Wherry of New Plymouth, Bruce (Sue) Wherry of Middleton, Debbie (Andy) Morris of Gooding and Tina (Rick) Pittman of Payette, as well as 16 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Phyllis is also survived by her brothers, Bud (Linda) Monroe of Auburn, California, Newell (Norma) Monroe of Gilroy, California and her sister Allison Bilbao of Sunnyvale, California and numerous nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob; a sister, Delores Hutchinson, a grandson, Robert Hendrickson.

A big thank you goes to the team of caregivers at St. Luke’s MSTI of Fruitland, and St. Luke’s Hospice of Boise and Twin Falls for the wonderful care during her year-long battle with cancer.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 21st at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, New Plymouth with Pastor Andy Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth. Her family would suggest memorial donations in her name to St. Luke’s MSTI of Fruitland, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, PO Box 730, Payette, Idaho 83661. Condolences may be made to Phyllis’ family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.