Phyllis Ursel Dye

Phyllis Dye, born September 28, 1920, in Wapato, WA, to Chester and Edna Morrison, went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 13, 2013. She was raised with her sister on her family's small ranch and, after finishing school, she decided to pursue her desire to help others by beginning nurse's training. Unfortunately, due to health concerns, she wasn't able to finish, but she continued her philanthropy as a part of the Lower Valley Rainbow Girls club. It was at one of their fundraising dances that she met her future husband Bill. They married in 1939 and, after a short time in California, they moved back to the Yakima area to raise their two sons and be near family. Bill worked as an accountant in the Lower Valley, and besides being a devoted wife and mother, Phyllis worked as a sales manager for Sears & Roebuck until she retired.

Phyllis was a devout Christian and long-time active church member who donated her time and support as part of her ministry to others, and, in later years, she would pile her many grandkids in the car every weekend and take them to Sunday School and church services. Even on the rare occasions she couldn't attend, she and Grandpa would hold "church" at home for their great-grandkids after a Sunday breakfast of homemade pancakes or waffles. She always wanted to share her love of God with those she loved.

Phyllis also had a talent for sewing, and besides outfitting the grandkids with church clothes, she'd sew baby clothes, doll clothes, bridesmaid dresses, and even a matching set of leopard flannel pajamas for five of her grandkids. Knowing her, she probably got a really good deal on the fabric, but she was just the kind of person who, whenever she saw a need, would always do her best to find a way to meet that need for those around her.

Phyllis enjoyed tole painting, cooking, playing the organ, gardening, antique hunting, playing pinochle, going to movies, and painting roses on anything ceramic. She also loved to travel, and her and Grandpa were members of the Good Sam RV club and almost always had at least a couple grandkids in tow on their many trips. She constantly gave of herself and wanted to share all aspects of her life.

Phyllis loved taking care of her family with everything she had, and she believed it was her true calling. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, friend, confidant, spiritual guide and counselor to any and all who were willing to receive her love and wisdom. She took us all in at various times for various reasons, and she would feed, care for, and nurture us until we were good to go out in the world again. She became a real Guardian Angel to many of us in her desire to serve God. She always said we shouldn't be a regular guest at our own pity parties and that the best thing you could do for others is pray for them, and she practiced what she preached and had a very strong faith.

Phyllis is survived by her sons: Jeff Dye; and Lynn (Vicky) Dye; her grandchildren: Cindy Daniels; Renee (Dave) Silvestri; Corey (Jessica) Dye; and Michelle Starnes; and her many beloved great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, William Dye; brother-in-law Lee (Harriett) Purcel; sister Martha (Ken) Curry; daughter-in-law Claudine Dye; grandsons: Chris Dye and Chad Dye; and great-grandson Derek Dye.

Grandma was the glue that held our family together and we will always remember the very special ways she touched each of our lives and how incredibly fortunate we have been to be blessed by getting to be a part of her life.

The family would like to thank Willow Springs for the generous care and attention they gave to her.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2013 at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. To share a memory of Phyllis visit, www.lmfuneralhome.com