An original baby boomer, she was born in Los Angeles to Elda and Lola Jones. The family relocated to the valley community of Millwood in Spokane, WA, where she attended West Valley High School. While there she babysat to save up for her first mode of transportation, horse "Pal" which she rode all over Millwood. A teen mother to son Scott and daughter Dawn, she showed true American tenacity and perseverance by raising her children while still obtaining a nursing degree, like her mother before her. She met and married Robert Kilmer, who courted her in a little sports car. They lived in Spokane, Puget Sound, and Wenatchee. Along the way they gave birth to her third child David. Even though money was tight Phyllis made sure that didn't stand in the way of the children's fun and learning, which included numerous expeditions to beaches, Mount Rainier, boating, camping, clam digging, and many ferry boat rides. She raised her children to think for themselves and was always there for them, be it calamity or celebration that would occasionally befall each of them. She worked a variety of jobs including; School bus driver (which she loved!), Nurse, and was even a co-owner of a successful community tavern/restaurant.
Phyllis, Dawn and David lived in Wenatchee for a time where she eventually met Max Gerber. A few years after moving back to Spokane, she married Max. A few years later, she returned to nursing at Eastern State Hospital to work until she retired. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, and being near her mother whom she cared for until her passing. She and Max were able to travel to many places including; Hawaii, The Caribbean, Hong Kong, and China. She even developed pen pal relationships that lasted decades!
After retirement, Phyllis and Max designed and built a house in Sequim where she spent countless hours thrift shopping, gardening, and combing the beaches. It wasn't uncommon to see her with a heavy backpack full of beach rocks for her yard. Phyllis especially enjoyed her living room view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, admiring bald eagles, shipping traffic, Coast Guard activities, and even the occasional submarines! Phyllis never remarried after Max's passing. She spent a few more years in Sequim then moved closer to family in Spokane.
She spent her final years enjoying her home and very special cat "Baby". She was also able to see her favorite team, Seattle Seahawks, in person in the year of their Super Bowl win. As a proudly independent do-it-yourselfer, Phyllis was very creative and always came up with work arounds and fixes to various issues. She had many talents/interests including; sewing, macrame (made horse bridles, complex hanging planters, and other wonderful things), gardening, and enjoyed mind games like Sudoku and Wordle as well. She enjoyed a few soap operas and could watch countless hours "aviation disasters" or Nova, and other science-based shows.
Phyllis is survived by her brother Robert Jones, sons David and Scott, daughter Dawn, step sons Brad and Jeff, and numerous grandchildren and great children. Per her wishes, there will be no funeral. A family celebration of Phyllis's life will be at a future date.
Rest in peace Mom, we are thankful to have had you and we all love you very much.
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