Phyllis Lusk Gillis

July 28, 1925 - June 15, 2025

Phyllis Lusk Gillis of Salem, Oregon, died at the age of 99 on June 15, 2025.

Born Phyllis Julia Lusk in New Orleans to Carroll Jay Lusk and Julia Viola Munster, she was the youngest of two children. Phyllis graduated from McDonogh High School. During World War II, she worked at the Port of Embarkation in New Orleans, assisting U.S. troops and their cargo heading overseas.

In 1948, she married Richard McIver Gillis at Gentilly Methodist Church in New Orleans. They were married 47 years until his death in 1995. Their life together took them to Texas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and eventually to Salem, where they bought their first home in 1956. Together they had two children, Laura and Peter.

Throughout her life, Phyllis was an active volunteer and member of various women’s groups, contributing time to Meals on Wheels, First United Methodist Church, and P.E.O. International. During the 1970s, she worked in The Office of the Legislative Counsel at the Oregon State Capitol.

Taking their children with them, Phyllis and Richard helped lead the first group of study abroad students from Willamette University to Japan in 1973, forming a long-lasting bond with the International College of Commerce (now Tokyo International University). In 1985, they took another group of students abroad – this time to England – to study economics in London.

In her retirement, Phyllis continued to travel the world, going on multiple international cruises and visiting Egypt for the first time at the age of 71.

Above all else, she dedicated her life to her family, taking advantage of every opportunity to attend sporting events, concerts, and plays. Every Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, she would serve as hostess for memorable evenings that created lasting memories – she was even featured on the front page of the Statesman Journal for her parties.

She is survived by daughter Laura, son Peter; and grandchildren Dustin, Christopher, and Julia. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, father Carroll, mother Julia, and sister Miriam.

Viewings will be held at Virgin T. Golden Funeral Home in Salem from 2 - 5 p.m. on June 28 and 29. A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Salem.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Richard M. Gillis scholarship at Willamette University, First United Methodist Church of Salem, or the Union Gospel Mission.