Phyllis E. McCallum's Obituary
Phyllis McCallum died peacefully on April 3, 2008 at her home in Lakewood, WA, at the age of 92. She was born on May 1, 1915 in Kennewick, WA, of parents Lester Duncan Hollaway and Ethel Lenore (Callahan) Hollaway, who had homesteaded in the Methow Valley of WA in 1909. She was raised in the Methow Valley, in the Mazama area close to Winthrop, where her life on the ranch was enriched with musical training. Her music study led to piano recitals and work as accompanist (without sheet music) for silent movies. She graduated from Winthrop High School in the class of 1932. After working for George Dibble at the Farmer's State Bank in Winthrop, she moved to Tacoma, WA, where she began working for the Puget Sound National Bank. At the bank, she met Charles (Chuck) John McCallum. They were married in 1941 and were soon blessed with two sons: Charles John McCallum, Jr., born in 1943 and Lester Duncan McCallum, born in 1945. The family moved to Lakewood in 1953 after Chuck opened and managed the Lakewood Branch of the Puget Sound National Bank. Phyllis and Chuck were active in the community, for example, co-chairing the Lakewood Dance Club's "Blarney Stone Ball" in 1956. After raising two children, she worked at the Lakewood Water District and then the payroll department of the Clover Park School District for many years. She was a long time member of The Little Church on the Prairie. After the death of her husband in 1968, she decided to remain in her lovely home on Steilacoom Lake, with rhododendrons and a great view of Mt. Rainier. At that residence she was able to continue to practice her love of gardening. That home has long served as a departure point for her sons' tradition of annual backpacking trips into the Pasayten Wilderness and the extended family annual picnic. Over the years, as Phyllis survived many serious injuries and significant illnesses, she was admired for her amazing resilience and her exceptionally positive attitude. She will be remembered as a loving wife and as a generous supportive mother for her children and grandchildren in their many activities: camping (she participated), water skiing (she was the spotter), Boy Scouts (she was a Den Mother), and sports and other activities (always in attendance). She was proud to support and encourage the education of her children and grandchildren from an early age through graduate school. Phyllis continued to enjoy music and play the piano throughout her life, often the center of attention, providing accompaniment for sing along gatherings of family and friends. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her sister, Nadine Evelyn (Hollaway) Witte. She is survived by her sons: Charles J. McCallum, Jr. (Pennie Firestone McCallum) and Lester D. McCallum (Peggy Bunnell McCallum). Also surviving are her two grandchildren Christine Lynn (McCallum) Ongchin (Stew Ongchin) and Charles J. McCallum III, as well as a great granddaughter, Lauren Mei Ongchin. In addition, she leaves her sister in-law Lillian Isaacson and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to acknowledge and extend its deepest gratitude for the following individuals who provided exceptional care for Phyllis for more than 2 1/2 years in her home: Valerie, Joyce, Sara, Deborah, Tili, Ann, Saumu and Dorothy. The family also wishes to thank Dr. David Law and his staff for their years of great medical care and those serving Phyllis through Franciscan Hospice. Services will be Friday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. at The Celebration of Life Center of Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, in Lakewood, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Franciscan Hospice.
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