PHYLLIS PAULINE MACIVER (RAE)

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PHYLLIS PAULINE MACIVER (RAE) December 17, 1928 - May 16, 2016 After a long struggle with Alzheimer's, Phyllis passed from this life peacefully on May 16, 2016. We actually thought she had a while to go, but as in life, once she made up her mind, she went on her own terms, gracefully, and without too much fuss. Phyllis was predeceased by her husband Bruce, and only sister Doreen Edgar (Maccaulay). She leaves behind to cherish her memory son Campbell; daughter-in-law Heather; grandsons, Cauhlan and Edan; and her daughter Leanne. She was fondly known as Auntie Phyl to many of her husband's family, the Ballingalls, (sister Francis) MacDonalds, (sister Diane) and of course MacIvers. (Jack!) Phyllis lived her entire life in Winnipeg, never more than a stone's throw from her parent's home in Woodhaven. She went to business school, and spent her early working life in the secretarial pool at the T Eaton Co. but was eventually a 1960's Mom-and proud of it. Many years after her kids were grown, she rejoined the workforce in the office at what was then, Houston Temporary Services. Phyllis loved those years at Houston, where she had many laughs learning to expand her vocabulary, and (almost) shedding her "housewife" persona! Other than a brief period when she and Bruce wintered in Florida, she was the quintessential home body. She loved to cook and entertain, and while her parties were simple, they were always entertaining-mostly for the right reasons. When she and Bruce took to the piano at a Parkside Christmas party she was in her element-she even made Bruce look good! Phyllis and Bruce bought a cottage at Granite Lake in 1961, and she spent many summers there from June through August, anxiously awaiting Bruce's arrival on Saturday night, when they would party into the wee hours with their many lake friends, particularly the Underwoods, the Cranwills and the Killberys, but never hesitated to bring reinforcements from the city if necessary like the Handfords, and Dixons.(we finally found Gord's bathing suit) She was for many years an active member of Sturgeon Creek United Church, a secret outlet for her love of singing, also an active member of St. Charles Country Club, serving on many committees and making many water ball donations. Phyllis often employed a very dry sense of humour, which she maintained throughout her disease - she could still catch you off guard with a snappy comeback right to her last days. The family would like to thank the staff at the Rosewood for their help in assisting Phyllis to live with independence and dignity. Thanks also to her home care team, Mei Ling, Teresa and Elvira for their devotion to Phyllis. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the nursing team on 4 North at the Victoria General Hospital for their compassion and kindness to Phyllis and to the family. Phyllis never liked people to fuss over her, so according to her wish there will be no formal service. If you so choose, pet a dog, have a V and T, or a donation to a charity of your choice would have made her happy. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2016