Phyllis Jean Blair

Jean, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 101. Jean was born in Salt Lake City (Fairpark Historic District) on December 5, 1923 to John Phillip Isaac and Katie Hyacinth Winn Isaac. She spoke fondly of her time growing up in the city–frequently visiting with her Grandma Winn who lived within walking distance. She spent summers in the library located right across the street from her house and enjoyed going to the circus and other events in town.

In the mid-1930s, during the peak of the depression years, several members of the Winn family purchased a distressed 360-acre property in Butlerville, Utah (now Cottonwood Heights). The property, which came to be known by the locals as the Winn Ranch, included an English Tudor Period Cottage built in 1928 and other residences. The house, which is now listed as a significant historical site in Cottonwood Heights, still stands. Jean and her parents moved from town and into the cottage, known as “The Big House”. They remodeled the house into a duplex so that Grandma Winn could live in the smaller residence and Jean’s family lived in the bigger side. Jean found moving to the country to be somewhat of a cultural shock initially - driving to get anywhere and struggling to fit in with the locals, but eventually settled in. She appreciated the closeness and love of her immediate family, cherishing time with younger sisters Lois and Evelyn. She thrived living amongst a community of relatives (a grandparent and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins) on the Ranch. She attended the schools in Butlerville and graduated from Jordan High School in 1942. Working at the family business Winn and Company (automotive and tire services) at a young age was the start of Jean’s business career, alongside several family members, learning bookkeeping skills under the tutelage of her uncle Doug.

She married Calvin Blair on September 13, 1946, when he returned to Salt Lake City after World War II. She had known him since elementary school and they dated once when he was on leave from U. S. Navy boot camp. They corresponded during the war, dated for about 9 months upon his return, and then decided to marry. They lived in Salt Lake City and enjoyed travel, family camping trips and Sunday night golf excursions at Mountain Dell golf course. Calvin passed away from cancer in October 1985.

Jean grew up wanting to be a dress designer and made doll clothes, later her own dresses, and then select clothing pieces for her children. She had a heritage of entrepreneurship from her grandfather and uncles. She focused her fashion and salesmanship aspirations by opening her own children’s clothing store, Jean’s Tots to Teens, in the late 1950s with partner Florence Dyer. In that era, it was relatively rare for a woman to work outside the home, much less to start a business. Jean was a force; she forged ahead of societal norms during that time setting her own path. She successfully ran the business for 30 years until the late 1980s. She led all aspects of the business including buying merchandise, sales, hiring and managing staff, and accounting. The building is still located on 6200 South Highland Drive. Her business was her passion; she often said that when you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day in your life.

Due to Calvin’s death at a young age, they were unable to enjoy retirement together. She independently started the retirement phase of her life by moving to Scottsdale, AZ, where she built a house, enjoyed the sunshine, and escaped the snowy winters of Utah. She truly enjoyed starting from scratch and making the house her own. She loved to golf, learned how to play tennis, took classes and made many new friends along the way. She traveled with her sisters and brothers-in-law and saw many corners of the world. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was a highlight of this chapter for her. In her final years, she found peace in reflecting on her many memories with loved ones and the gratitude of living a good life.

She is survived by her son, Calvin Kim Blair (Jane Blair) and her daughter, April D’Evelyn (Terry D’Evelyn). She was very proud of her three grandchildren, Emily, John, and Abbie, who all became engineers. She has four great grandchildren, Greyson, Logan, Zarah, and Riley.

Jean’s interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City at a private family ceremony on June 25. For those that so desire, the family suggests donating to a charity of your choice or to organizations meaningful to Jean including the Utah Symphony/Utah Opera, Pioneer Theater, St. Mary’s Food Bank of Arizona, or the Salvation Army.