Phyllis Grace McFeron

She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Herbert and Helen Ehlers on June 30, 1923.  

While living 101 years is astonishing in its own right, Phyllis filled all those years with love, faith and building strong communities.

Phyllis committed herself tirelessly to God and her family.  Ever-present, attending activities, ceremonies, and events, she was a constant source of support and love and a giver of countless parties for family and friends.  

Phyllis was a member of the National Honor Society in high school, graduating two years early, and was Junior and Senior Class President.

Phyllis and her best friend Jeanne joined the Naval Women’s Reserves (WAVES) in 1944 “for two years or the duration of the war.” Phyllis was stationed at the Fleet Post Office in New York City and enjoyed the experience immensely, the camaraderie with her fellow WAVES, learning to march in formation on the parade grounds, the uniforms fashioned by a New York City designer, and saluting the officers.  She remained devoted to the country she so deeply loved all her life.

When the war was over in August 1945, she was on the train traveling back to her home in New Jersey, and a handsome young naval officer asked if he could sit on the arm of her seat since there were no other seats available.  She said “No.”  Dean sat down anyway and they got to talking, and she invited him and his friend to an Asbury Park outing with her friends. They were engaged in October, and married in November!

She and her daughter Pam were active in Young Life, leading Bible studies and activities, and she was a Malibu Yacht Hostess for many summers. She and Dean led a lively college-age Bible study group at church which grew from small to large, and resulted in at least seven marriages and lifelong friendships that are just like family. 

Phyllis grew up on the Jersey Shore, spending her summers at the beach.  Her love of the beach was a constant in her life, and although she traded sunrises for sunsets, she continued the tradition with her growing family.  For four decades, she and Dean gathered their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for summertime beach getaways, enjoying the walks through the dunes, the adventures of the family body surfers, supplying smores at the beach fire, and games of cards, dominoes, and Boggle on rainy days.

Phyllis was devoted to her church family and attending worship, and she was a student of the Bible.  She was a Stephen Minister, a counselor for Life Choices Pregnancy Center, and a mentor to younger women. She was a gifted teacher, and belonged to and led a Bible study with her dear friends that endured for decades. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Dean and daughter Pam, and sisters Helen and Betty.  She is survived by her brother Herbert, her three sons and their wives, nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Young Life at northseattle.younglife.org, or 5050 36th Avenue NE, Seattle, 98115.

Thoughts from family members

• I think one of Mom's outstanding characteristics was her PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. It was rooted in her faith and always reminds me of Philippians 4:8: Paul writes:

"Finally, children of God, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things...and God's Peace will be with you."

• One (out of many) special things about Grandma was her love of music. It was a big part of her life, whether church hymns, classical music, enjoying the Messiah events, sing-a-longs at Christmastime or enjoying grandkids' recitals. When we got a piano she was more than happy to come to our house to give piano lessons. What meant a lot to me was that when she called on my birthday, I always knew it would start with her singing me Happy Birthday!

• When Gramma McFeron realized how determined I was to finish my college education, she pitched in by providing child care, typing my senior project, offering to co-sign a student loan, and coming to my graduations. Her help was a tremendous blessing!

• She was my birthday fairy. She knew how to throw a great party. She was 101 but she never got old. She was sunny and cheerful, tough and strong, and full of laughter and fun. She was a lover of people, enthusiastic and helpful in whatever we were doing. She was a good listener and gave wise counsel, she was creative and made beautiful things. She was a true-blue friend. She loved, loved, loved her family. Like Stephen (in Acts 6) she was full of the Holy Spirit’s grace and power. She prayed her powerful prayers with open joy and love for Jesus. She is one of a kind. She is irreplaceable.

• Gramma’s kitchen was the most comfortable place because I could depend on a couple of things. Homemade waffles, blackberry syrup from those blackberry bushes around the neighborhood, and a scoop from that orange juice concentrate can, whipped up in the glass–my childhood was delicious. I’ve never been able to make things quite as well as she did. Miss you, Gramma.

• Grandma is warm hugs wrapped in hand-stitched quilts and crocheted afghans, lively games, beautiful music, sparkling eyes, joyful parties, and just the words you needed to hear.

• Grandma epitomized the qualities of empathy, patience, and understanding. She was a teacher in her own right; teaching piano, swimming, games, calligraphy, and crocheting to young grandchildren. She was my first pen-pal and quick with birthday or greeting cards. She was always welcoming to new friends and acquaintances.

• When I was seven years old, I remember my grandma sitting on the piano stool with me as she carefully transcribed a song I had written to sheet music so that I could enter the PTA “Reflections” contest (we won first prize together that year!). Many years later when I was starting to perform in local bars and clubs around Seattle, she was a regular at my shows, attending well into her nineties, often sipping a small schooner of hefeweizen with a spritz of lemon and a joyful, beaming smile.

• Grandma's table was a place that I learned manners. To not wear a hat indoors, take turns speaking, pass the food around, say please and thank you, consider the needs of the group and put others first. She showed up for all of us grandkids. Hosting New Year's Eve with popcorn and pots to bang at midnight, making quilts and Laurelhurst Beach Club swim test victory towels, sneaking us real showers at Long Beach when Grandpa hooked up the hot water hose in the yard, adding addendums to her memoirs as the family continued to grow. Also, she made the absolute best PBJ's and did not hesitate to destroy a child at Rummy.

• Grandma Phyllis filled every room she entered with warmth and love, just like the many quilts she made for her family throughout the years.

• Often, when I get to (literally) stop and smell the roses, I find there isn't much of a fragrance. In those moments, I always remember Grandma saying she would choose which roses to plant based more on scent than beauty, which seems right to me: a rose is a rose is a rose, and most are pretty, but it's a special treat when they smell as sweet as the ones outside Grandma's house.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 - 10:30 am

Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church

17440 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98115

Reception to Follow

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to young life Seattle

5050 36th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

ylcseattle.younglife.org