ATCHISON, Phyllis Edna Lillian

Mar 22, 1926 - Jan 6, 2021

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother and nana due to COVID-19. She is predeceased by her sisters Margaret Blow and Freda Gorolitza, her brother, Cardiff Stoney, sister-in-law Marion Stoney, and former husband, Everett Atchison. Phyllis will be profoundly missed by her daughter Julie, sons Wynne and Hugh, and grandchildren Jennifer and Sean. Phyllis was born in North Surrey and graduated from Queen Elizabeth High School in 1943. She ventured out on her own at the age of seventeen and was employed soon in New Westminster, later at Alfred W. Macleod Insurance. Phyllis began work as a legal stenographer at Davidson Law Offices in 1971 and finally retired from the firm in 1994. Having lost both her mother and father at an early age, she nonetheless had a wonderful sense of adventure and perseverance throughout her life, enjoying hiking and travel, gardening, golf, and dancing. In her later years she walked, went to the gym, and belonged to Old Time and Scottish Country dancing groups, dancing three times a week. Selfdeprecating and witty, she was always able to include her loved ones in a laugh at the trials of the world, or an empathetic comment that brought a problem down to size. She has left her resilient, endearing qualities within our hearts. Thank-you to friends and relatives for your love and support through this trying time. We give thanks to the medical staff at Surrey Memorial Hospital's COVID and Acute Care wards for their tender care of our Phyllis. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice. A gathering to celebrate Phyllis's life will be held later in the year.