Phyllis June Stark

She was born in Portland, Oregon at Emanuel Hospital to parents Philip Henry McEleney and Birdie Ruth Anding McEleney. Phyllis was raised in Seattle, Washington where she graduated from Lincoln High School, and later earned her Bachelors in teaching at the University of Washington. In college she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Her best friend since second grade, Mary Jacobs, was also in the sorority and they remained great friends until Phyllis passed.

She met Donald Stark at the University of WA. They were both in the Greek system and he was Alpha Tau Omega. They met through mutual friends and started dating after Don took Phyllis’ best friend Mary to a dance! After college, Don went to Cornell Medical school in New York City and Phyllis remained in Portland living with Don’s parents while she taught school. One year apart was enough, so they got married June 25, 1955 at Highland Baptist Church in Portland and moved to NYC so Don could finish medical school. After graduation they moved back to Portland and Don began his Internship at Emanuel Hospital. In 1959 Don enlisted in the Army and served overseas as Post Surgeon at the Hanau base in Germany. So, Don, Phyllis, daughter Kelly, born in 1959 and of course, a dog, moved to Frankfurt Germany. They had an opportunity to travel there as well. Phyllis and Don moved back to Portland in 1963 with two additional kids, Kammy and Kristy who were both born in Frankfurt. They bought the house on Ridgewood Rd where they would raise their five kids. Karin was born in 1963 and Donald II in 1966. Many great memories were made in that house with neighborhood friends and family. Don passed away in 2003 from Melanoma and Phyllis was his 24/7 caregiver for the six months he lived after diagnosis. Sadly, she also lost her son Don in 2009 at age 43. She moved to a new home in 2008 on Laurel St. and lived there up until two months before her death.

Phyllis taught elementary school in Portland and in White Plains, NY where she took the subway to work every day. She taught grades 1-4 in her career. She was artistic and creative so her students had lots of art education and craft time. She retired in 1959 when their first child Kelly was born.

She put in many volunteer hours at Raleigh Park Elementary where her kids attended grade school. She was especially known for her crafty and artistic displays. She was a school board member for the Beaverton School District. She also volunteered at the Oregon Symphony Society and the University of Oregon (now OHSU) Resident and Interns Auxiliary. She penned all of the artwork on the 1969-1970 calendar published by the Symphony Society. Each month featured a line drawing of a famous building in Oregon all drawn by Phyllis. She also was Campfire group leader.

Phyllis loved quilting and sewing. You knew you were special if you received one of her rag quilt pillows. She also loved crafting and drawing, and she sent out beautiful handmade Christmas cards every year. She co-authored a couponing book with her neighbor called “Save on the Dotted Line."

Phyllis was an avid collector of anything Laurel Burch, teal, beach themed, Starbucks Bears and mugs, sock monkeys, holiday decorations, and earrings.

She traveled to quilting shows with her friend Mary, toured Europe, and often drove to her favorite place on earth, Cannon Beach. While raising the kids, vacation consisted of a week every Fall in Adrian, Oregon in a trailer with five kids and assorted dogs so that Don could pheasant hunt with his Dad and brother. She liked to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. (You knew not to call her between 7 and 8 pm) and she loved her yard and gardening. She enjoyed her nightly glass/mug of sweet Riesling which often paired well with her love of Chinese food and Burgerville fish and chips! Amazon will miss delivering daily to her house. Phyllis was also an avid Washington Husky and Seahawks fan, but also of the Oregon Ducks because all five of her kids attended there.

She was fiercely independent, outliving Don by 20 years after he passed away in 2003. She lived in her home and drove until she was 91. She always had a project going that she was “picking away at”. She had the patience of a saint, raising five kids and all that that entails: meals, school, sibling arguments, shuttling to all of the lessons, sewing the kids clothes, all while assorted Springer Spaniels and cats were underfoot. She was fun loving, had a witty sense of humor, and was thoughtful. She was known for her care packages and cards for every occasion. She was kind, a good friend and amazing mother and wife.

Phyllis is survived by daughters Kelly Shafer (Mark), Kammy McNeal, Kristy Spencer (Lee) and Karin Stark; grandchildren, Amina Snoderly (Mourad), David Snoderly, Jake McNeal, Erin Rundle (Drew), Ryan Spencer (Samantha), Katie Horton (Andrew), Tris Bredeweg, Zoe Bredeweg, and Dana Panduro (Jose); and ten great grandchildren, with two more due in November.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Stark , and her son Donald Stark II.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and SW Washington

https://www.ovariancancerosw.org/

The Knight Cancer Institute

https://www.ohsu.edu/knight-cancer-institute

World Vision

https://www.worldvision.org/

CAFA(Christians as Family Advocates) Women’s Creative Connections Art Group

https://www.cafaweb.com/

To honor a life well-lived and well-loved, we are hosting a celebration of life for Mom. Details as follows:

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Drop in from 2 pm to 4 pm.

The Stockpot Broiler Club Room

8200 SW Scholls Ferry Rd.

Beaverton OR 97008

We hope that you will come by and share your favorite memories of her.

If she ever made you one of her famous rag quilt pillows please bring it so we can display her handiwork.