Obituary for Phyllis Dorothy Mittlestead
Our Mom, Gramma, Great Gramma ~ Phyllis Dorothy Mittlestead (Girling) ~ passed to her Heaven on Tuesday October 18, 2022 with an amazing amount of family, friends and beautiful Amica Edgemont care angels, all loving and lifting her up.
Phyl was born in North Vancouver, lived her early years in Pemberton, became a Registered Nurse at St. Paul's Hospital and settled in North Vancouver. She filled her 90 years of life to the very fullest, yet felt she had so much more to do in making this world a better place. Mom was a dynamic force of nature who kindly tolerated the rest of us younger ones that could not possibly keep up!
She provided all children, both near and far with the protection, playfulness, respect, dignity and an all encompassing love to help them navigate their lives safely. Her ‘George', our Dad, Grampa and Great Grampa left us in 2006. She missed his presence deeply and carried on with her fearless energy.
Phyllis has been devoted to her Anglican faith and especially St Catherine’s, since we were littles. God was her best friend. To her last days she was a Garden Goddess, Child Advocate, Champion Dill Pickler, Visionary, Frugal Phenom, a Boss, Super Girl and simply a faith driven, God lovin’ woman, who showed grace and humour through most of life’s foibles.
We grew up with weekly bread baking, powdered milk (yuck), homemade cookies and fudge, mandatory berry picking with the bears, epic Advent Calendars, an infinite supply of knitted dishcloths, Blackberry Gin, recycled plastic wrap and her famous Huckleberry Pie. Mom was a lifelong devoted fan and season ticket holder of both the BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks, she rarely missed a game!
Our family, in all of its’ manifestations, brought her great bliss and many outrageous challenges. She managed to love us through it all.
Jann (Jason), Barry (Margo), Tina (David) and Alan gave her 7 beautiful grandchildren. Luke, Jordan, Fraser (Leah), Stuart (Kim), Ben (Rebecca), Cayle and Owen. They in turn gave her 4 precious GreatGrands. Kenzie, Jace, Finn, Hayley and a babe on the way.
Mom had two beautiful sisters, Beth Lawrence and Nella Hinchliffe who sadly passed away before her. Forever missed and forever loved by all. Her mother, Dorothy Girling and father, Barry Girling left us long ago.
Phyl's resume of extraordinary Out Reach Volunteerism is far too great to do justice to here. It spanned the globe and her lifetime. Suffice to say, she touched more lives than we could possibly imagine.
We are deeply grateful for the tender care and expertise Mom received from the LGH Hospitalists and Nurses!
She danced her full JOY with all the boys this August in Pemberton and everyone embraced her enchanting presence. She is dancing gently into the light now, soaring with the eagles and swimming with her noble sea turtles.
Mom’s Memorial Service will be held November 25 @ 2 PM. at St Catherine’s Church, 1058 Ridgewood Dr. North Vancouver, BC, followed by a reception in the Church Hall.
Please donate to your dearest charity if you feel inclined. Or plant a flower. Phyl would love that.
Phyl was born in North Vancouver, lived her early years in Pemberton, became a Registered Nurse at St. Paul's Hospital and settled in North Vancouver. She filled her 90 years of life to the very fullest, yet felt she had so much more to do in making this world a better place. Mom was a dynamic force of nature who kindly tolerated the rest of us younger ones that could not possibly keep up!
She provided all children, both near and far with the protection, playfulness, respect, dignity and an all encompassing love to help them navigate their lives safely. Her ‘George', our Dad, Grampa and Great Grampa left us in 2006. She missed his presence deeply and carried on with her fearless energy.
Phyllis has been devoted to her Anglican faith and especially St Catherine’s, since we were littles. God was her best friend. To her last days she was a Garden Goddess, Child Advocate, Champion Dill Pickler, Visionary, Frugal Phenom, a Boss, Super Girl and simply a faith driven, God lovin’ woman, who showed grace and humour through most of life’s foibles.
We grew up with weekly bread baking, powdered milk (yuck), homemade cookies and fudge, mandatory berry picking with the bears, epic Advent Calendars, an infinite supply of knitted dishcloths, Blackberry Gin, recycled plastic wrap and her famous Huckleberry Pie. Mom was a lifelong devoted fan and season ticket holder of both the BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks, she rarely missed a game!
Our family, in all of its’ manifestations, brought her great bliss and many outrageous challenges. She managed to love us through it all.
Jann (Jason), Barry (Margo), Tina (David) and Alan gave her 7 beautiful grandchildren. Luke, Jordan, Fraser (Leah), Stuart (Kim), Ben (Rebecca), Cayle and Owen. They in turn gave her 4 precious GreatGrands. Kenzie, Jace, Finn, Hayley and a babe on the way.
Mom had two beautiful sisters, Beth Lawrence and Nella Hinchliffe who sadly passed away before her. Forever missed and forever loved by all. Her mother, Dorothy Girling and father, Barry Girling left us long ago.
Phyl's resume of extraordinary Out Reach Volunteerism is far too great to do justice to here. It spanned the globe and her lifetime. Suffice to say, she touched more lives than we could possibly imagine.
We are deeply grateful for the tender care and expertise Mom received from the LGH Hospitalists and Nurses!
She danced her full JOY with all the boys this August in Pemberton and everyone embraced her enchanting presence. She is dancing gently into the light now, soaring with the eagles and swimming with her noble sea turtles.
Mom’s Memorial Service will be held November 25 @ 2 PM. at St Catherine’s Church, 1058 Ridgewood Dr. North Vancouver, BC, followed by a reception in the Church Hall.
Please donate to your dearest charity if you feel inclined. Or plant a flower. Phyl would love that.