Phyllis Anne Henrichsen, MSN, BSN, RN (July 13, 1937-December 17, 2023) a pillar of strength, solidarity and faith, departed this earthly life, leaving behind a legacy that epitomizes love, dedication and unwavering devotion to family and faith. Phyllis peacefully transitioned into eternal rest, reuniting with her beloved husband, Leo, of sixty-one years and three cherished sons, enveloped in the eternal embrace of divine love.
Phyllis was born in Aberdeen, WA. Her life was one of passion, strength and resilience and a commitment to serving others. As a mother of twelve (adopted and biological), she embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood with grace, imparting compassion, integrity, and faith to her children.
She attended Roosevelt High School, obtained her BSN and master’s Degrees from the University of Washington. After graduating she worked as a nurse in the Kapiolani Hospital in the maternity ward in Hawaii. This is where learned to love the Hawaiian people, their culture, and the islands. She returned to the islands several times over the years.
Professionally, Phyllis’ impact resonated profoundly within the realms of nursing and education. Armed with a master's degree in maternal nursing, she dedicated her career to advancing maternal health, profoundly impacting the lives of countless mothers and infants with her expertise, calmness in the face of chaos, and unwavering dedication. As an esteemed educator of nurses at Seattle University, and Dental Hygienists at Shoreline Community College and Lake Washington Technical College, Phyllis' influence reverberates through generations of healthcare professionals whom she inspired, mentored, and nurtured, shaping the future landscape of patient care with her indelible mark. She loved people, especially children, and treated her patients and students with dignity, compassion, and respect they deserved and needed.
Phyllis met Leo Soren Henrichsen in 1960 and they were married in Manti, Utah on September 5, 1962. She had a big family filled with a loving, devoted husband; 12 children; 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; a brother; in-laws; nieces; nephews; cousins; foster children; and people she adopted by love. Although her family was big, she always made room in her home and at the dinner table for people who needed a place to feel love.
Central to Phyllis's life was her love of teaching, especially children. In addition to her professional role as an educator in Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs, she spent decades as a volunteer primary teacher (Sunday School). Each lesson was painstakingly thought out, practiced, and delivered with illustrations, stories, pictures, object lessons, felt boards and videos. Phyllis never missed an opportunity to teach either in a formal role or informal situations. She demonstrated this in instances such as running into a haggard mother of a sick child at the post office, giving encouraging words to a young mother, holding babies in church to give exhausted new parents a needed break, visiting church friends who needed a listening ear, comforting parents who had sick children or recently lost a loved one, instructing a young nurse on the best way to administer a flu shot, or teaching a grandchild how to read.
She was a woman of profound faith that guided her through a difficult life. As a devoted follower of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she found friendship, community, purpose, and direction in life. Her spiritual journey anchored her soul, guided her actions, and illuminated her path. This all gave her peace in wake of the profound loss of 3 of her sons who preceded her in death. Her faith led her to serve her fellow church members when sick, injured or suffered a loss of their own, often preparing and delivering meals to others’ homes, talking on the phone with friends from church having a difficult time, answering medical questions for neighbors and church members faced with a new or scary diagnosis. Her ability to simplify medical treatment methodologies, risks, and benefits was an incredible service to her community.
After retiring from nursing, teaching, and flu shots clinics she volunteered for a few years as the Regional Mission Nurse for the Seattle LDS Mission. During these years she discreetly and humbly shared her life experience, medical advice, maternal advice, professional experience, or a shoulder to cry on to young missionaries feeling sick being far from home, often for their first time. As this was her final professional work as a nurse, she found it difficult to conclude her service to these young missionaries and she spoke fondly of the connection she had with them and the warm welcome they greeted her with as she attended their meetings and gatherings.
Phyllis will be profoundly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her unique ability to love each of her children as the individuals they are will always be cherished in our hearts. Although we mourn her earthly departure, we take solace in knowing that she has been reunited with her beloved husband Leo and her sons David Edwin, Steven, and Shawn, embraced by eternal love, and welcomed into everlasting peace. In her passing she leaves a legacy of service, joy, happiness, and community.
Phyllis found great comfort at the eventual reuniting of her family after this life. Leo and Phyllis Henrichsen were married for 61 years and are survived by their children: Lisa Bradley, Shawn (deceased) (Deanne), David Edwin (deceased), Tammy Brown (Chris), Carol Tisdall (Scott), Scott, Todd (Theresa), Steven (deceased), David (Eve), Suzanne Jeppson (Kirk), Megan, Kumari Marshall (Tyler). Grandchildren: Ashley (Quinn), Joshua (Kelli), Elizabeth (Matt), Jacob, Alex (Stephen), Taylor (Ryan), Lauren, Nick, Cosette, Sarah, Jonathan, Natalie, Aiden, Arianna, Kylee (Blake), Zak, Aston, Easton & Bentley.
Great-Grandchildren: Gunner, Wyatt, Bodie, Celeste, Sydney, Anora, Elysia, Graceyn, Leo, Rose & Lilly.
A memorial service honoring Phyllis's remarkable life, enduring legacy, and profound impact will be held on Saturday January 13, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 10am at 17314 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98026, providing an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate her journey, cherish memories, and pay tribute to the extraordinary woman who touched countless lives with her love, compassion, and unwavering faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Shawn Henrichsen’s Memorial Dental Hygiene Scholarship at: https://www.shoreline.edu/foundation/donations.aspx in memory of Phyllis Henrichsen. Note: When specifying Scholarship designation choose other and enter Shawn Henrichsen Memorial Dental Hygiene Scholarship.
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" - Proverbs 31:28-29
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