Phyllis M. White

Phyllis Merilyn Paice White, 82, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, in East Wenatchee on Saturday, April 22, 2017, after courageously battling Parkinson’s disease for 25 years, meeting this challenge with grace and dignity. She was born November 7, 1934, in Beaver, Utah to Caleb Edwin and Martha Dean Paice, as the youngest of nine children, growing up together in a loving family. One of her responsibilities in her youth was to herd her father’s milk cows to the dairy each day. And it was there that she first met her future husband. She married her sweetheart, Marvin L. White, on January 14, 1954 in the St George, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for time and all eternity. Phyllis considered her marriage to Marvin as one of the greatest blessings of her life and they loved and served each other for 58 years. Together they raised nine children, built several successful businesses, and served in their church and in their community. After marriage, Phyllis and Marvin lived in Beaver, Utah for a short time where their first son, Calvin, was born. The next move took them to Ely, Nevada where Merilyn and Deb joined the family. Las Vegas, Nevada was their next move and where the growing family welcomed Rod, Greg, Bev, Jeff and Spencer. After the family’s final move to Wenatchee, Washington, Brenda became the ninth and final child. Idaho Street was home to Phyllis, Marvin, and their bustling crew for 46 years and was a busy home filled with fun, energy, noise, excitement, and love. Phyllis was an incredibly gifted and devoted mother. Each of her children felt as if they were her favorite due to her remarkable ability of meeting their needs on an individual basis. All nine of her children felt special, valued and loved as the needs of her family took precedence over her own as she willingly served and blessed her children. In return, each of her children reverenced their angel mother. She was also a wonderful friend and neighbor wherever she lived and remained especially close to the nine girlfriends she grew up with in Beaver, Utah. Phyllis was well known for her creative and thrifty ways, and was always interested in developing new talents. Some of her interests included sewing, flower arranging, calligraphy, cake decorating, gardening, quilting, and home canning. She served happily and faithfully in the LDS church throughout her life, always striving to model her life after the Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved working with the youth and especially in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency where she served for many years. She was also very involved in community leadership – politics, PTA, and Rotary. Phyllis was always anxious to serve others and loved everyone! She was kind, encouraging, uplifting and positive, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. She was truly a remarkable woman without guile, and a great example to us all. Her greatest desire was to serve others. Phyllis’s long struggle with Parkinson’s has come to an end and she can rest and enjoy the fruits of her life of love and kindness. She will be missed immensely by all who knew her, especially her adoring family of nine children and spouses, 40 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and her devoted brother Leon, sisters Erma, Eileen, and Shirley, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, son-in-law Matthew Warner, daughter-in-law Janae White, and grand-daughter Talia King. She is survived by: Calvin (Sara), Merilyn, Deb (Mike), Rod (Karen), Greg (Cheryl), Bev (Conrad), Jeff (Laurel), Spencer (Shannon), and Brenda (Kelly). Friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the home of Greg White, 205 Hidden Meadow Drive, Wenatchee. The funeral services will be held on Friday, April 28, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1621 Maiden Lane, Wenatchee. The interment will take place in the Wenatchee City Cemetery directly following the funeral. The family would like to thank the many people who served Phyllis as caregivers including a special thanks to the staff at Mission Healthcare of Bellevue for the kind and loving care she received during the past four years.

Tributes

Phyllis M. White

November 7, 1934 - April 22, 2017