LUFF o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-06-21 published
RAYNER,
Phyllis
Marie (née
GALLAGHER)
Peacefully, as the sun rose in Brantford, Ontario, on June 20,
2008, Phyllis
RAYNER, a cherished mother, grandmother, sister,
aunt, friend and proud nurse, died in her 86th year. Predeceased
six months ago by her beloved soulmate and husband of 56 years,
George. Wonderful and fun-loving mother of Shelagh (Bruce
PETERSON,)
Mississauga; Moira (Les
WHITE/WHYTE), Ottawa; Barbara (friend of Paul
FLANAGAN), Strathroy; and George (Lori
LUFF), Mississauga. Adored
Grandma of Susan, Kathryn (fiancée of David
LUND,) and Brian
PETERSON;
Emily (fiancée of Stefan
GINGRAS,) Elizabeth
(Alex
SARABURA,)
Fraser,
Anna, and Mary
WHITE/WHYTE; and Abigail, Joshua,
Zachary, and Jessica
RAYNER.
Honorary mother of June (Ray)
LOW/LOWE/LOUGH.
Dear sister of Richard (Mary)
GALLAGHER,
Regina; and
Louis
(Vivian)
GALLAGHER,
Thunder
Bay.
Predeceased by sister Patricia (late
Gerald) McKAY, brother George Patrick
GALLAGHER, and George's
family Rev. Father Frank
RAYNER, OMI, Patricia
POCOCK, and
Angus RAYNER. Survived by Michael and Mary
(RAYNER)
HADDON,
Joseph
POCOCK, beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Born October 3,
1922, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Doctor Patrick J.
GALLAGHER and
Marie Cecilia
DRISCOLL,
Phyllis graduated from Saint Mary's Academy,
St. Boniface Hospital (R.N., 1944) and the University of Toronto
(PhN, 1950). For many years she was a Public Health Nurse in
Brantford, retiring in 1988 as Acting Director. A tireless volunteer,
organizer, and crusader for social justice, Phyllis was the first
female chair of the Saint_Joseph's Hospital board, a past chair
of the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital Community Advisory Board,
a past chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association Task Force
on Housing for the Psychiatrically Disabled, a past chair of
the Mohawk College Studies in Aging Advisory Committee, a founding
member of the Nova Vita women's shelter, and a past board member
of the Brant County Children's Aid Society, the Brant District
Health Council, the Children and Youth Services Council, and
the Brant and Branford Housing Authority. She also worked on
the Ontario Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals Strategic Planning
Committee and at the Ontario Board of Parole. A lifelong Liberal,
Phyllis served as president of the Brantford Liberal Party. She
was also a Companion of the Sisters of Saint_Joseph. She was awarded
the Canada 125 medal in 1992, the J.A.D. Marquis Award for her
contribution to health care in Brant in 1995, and last month
she was delighted to be presented with the Mission Legacy Award
by the Saint_Joseph's Healthcare System. Phyllis will long be remembered
for her incredible joie de vivre, wicked sense of humour, common
sense, and quest for adventure. She loved her family fiercely,
cultivated life-long Friendships, and together with George, welcomed
all to their home with open arms. She will be greatly missed.
Visitation at McCleister Funeral Home, 495 Park Road North, Brantford,
Monday, June 23, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass at St. Ignatius
Loyola Catholic Church, 2300 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga,
Ontario, on Tuesday, June 24 at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow.
If desired, the family would appreciate memorial donations to
the Saint_Joseph's Lifecare Foundation or the Canadian Mental Health
Association.
McCleister 519-758-1553, www.mccleisterfuneralhome.ca
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