ForeverMissed
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Phyllis Joanne Johnson Parrish passed away peacefully of old age on Mother's Day, May 12, 2013 at Glen Meadows Retirement Community outside Baltimore.  She was 87.  She was well loved, and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services were held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home, Joliet, Illinois, Saturday, May 18, with interment at Woodlawn Park. Memorials to the Silver Cross Foundation (1900 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox, IL 60451) will be appreciated. 

She is survived by her daughter Joanne (Michael) George of Longmont, Colorado and her son Willard (Leslie) Parrish of Abingdon, Maryland, grandchildren Rebecca Lynne Parrish, Amaria (Jeremy) George Parker, and Gregory (Shana) George,  great grandchildren Kylen and Elijah Parker, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents John Edwin Johnson and Clara Wilhelmina Flint Johnson, and sisters Alberta Lauterbach and Rachel Sweet.

Phyllis was born on December 11, 1925 in Joliet, where she lived most of her life.   A graduate of Joliet Township High School class of 1943, she afterward worked at the Joliet Arsenal supporting the war effort.  She attended Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in experimental foods.  After graduation, she worked for Pillsbury foods in Minneapolis, participating in the early development of cake mixes and breakfast cereals. 

She married Willard Clark Parrish, Jr., and they had two children.  After a separation and divorce from her husband in 1954, Phyllis returned to Joliet and lived there most of the rest of her life.  She entered the teaching profession, using her food background to teach home economics.  She began her teaching career in Plainfield, moving to the Joliet school district in ~1961.  She studied summers, and received her Master's in Education from the University of Illinois.  She was named the chair of the Joliet Township East High School Department of Home Economics, when it opened in 1964. She taught cooking, sewing and child development until her retirement in 1986.  Nothing pleased her more than meeting former students who commented on how much they had enjoyed her classes and the life lessons learned.

Always a great cook - even in her tiny kitchen - she enjoyed entertaining, and was the family pie baker.   At Christmas time, she would produce many batches of pecan rolls to give to relatives and friends. 

After her retirement, she devoted much of her time to the Silver Cross Advisory Board and the Encore Shop - working at their resale shop, which used profits to purchase specialized equipment for the hospital.  Retirement also gave her more time to indulge her love of bridge, knitting, needlework, gardening, travel, and getting together with friends and family.  Her family was her pride and joy.  She traveled world-wide but especially loved our family get-aways every two years during which we traveled to Michigan, Colorado's Grand Lake, North Carolina's Outer Banks, and a dude ranch in Wyoming.

In 2007, she moved to Glen Meadows to be near her granddaughter, Rebecca.  She loved the beautiful setting.  Phyllis could sit in her window and look out over the valley, seeing deer and birds, or watching the squirrels play in the trees outside.  She continued to play bridge as long as she was able, but also loved many other kinds of games and puzzles.  She always liked to keep her mind and hands busy, and was found working Sudoku or crossword puzzles if there was nothing else going on.  Together with family, it was usually the card game of "Oh, Hell".  Up until the end, she had a remarkable grasp of anything to do with numbers.

She also kept her dry sense of humor.  Within a week of her death, a physical therapist was working with her, trying to get her out of her wheelchair, and back using her walker.  She said "Let's get up and go for a little walk now."  Phyllis responded "I'm tired.  You go for a walk.  I'll wait for you here."  

December 11, 2023
December 11, 2023
Happy Birthday Mother. We love you and miss you, especially at this time of year. 
May 13, 2023
May 13, 2023
Sweet Mrs Parrish, I learnt so much from you in home economics class. Many of those skills i still use today. I remember what a kind demeanor you had. Your children and their children were very lucky to have you in their lives. Thank you again for all you did for me.. Fly high among the angels 
May 12, 2023
May 12, 2023
Dear Mother,
10 years! The time has gone by so quickly, it doesn't seem nearly so long. I still miss you. But you are still with me every day, especially in my culinary and creative endeavors.
I love this time of year, as you did, with more flowers coming into bloom each day. The lilacs and lily of the valley are blooming now, and I picked some for you this morning.
Last year at this time, we were on Prince Edward Island, celebrating Rebecca's graduation from veterinary school. And now she is working as a veterinarian, as you knew was always her goal. You would be so proud.
Next month, we are having another Johnson-Flint family reunion - the third one here in Colorado. You would love our reunions here, up in Estes Park. We will be remembering and celebrating you, your sisters and cousins, parents, aunts and uncles. Your cousin John will hopefully be able to attend. He's the last of your generation.
Loving and remembering you always,
Joanne
May 12, 2021
May 12, 2021
I think of Mrs. Parrish every time I get the old Pfaff sewing machine out and use all the valuable skills she taught me at 16 years old. What a gentle and kind lady she was! 
May 12, 2020
May 12, 2020
Dear Mother,
It's hard to believe it's been 7 years that you've been gone. Yet you will always be with me - part of me. This is such a strange year, with the Covid-19, and I am thankful that you are not having to live through it. It's especially hard on people in senior living facilities - and even those who aren't getting ill are having their lives disrupted so much. I'm still glad I was able to have that time with you in your last days.
I love you forever,
Joanne
December 11, 2018
December 11, 2018
Everytime i make a single stitch by hand or get my machine out I think of and thank Mrs. Parrish for her instruction and wisdom. She gave us girls life long skills for which i am grateful.
May 13, 2018
May 13, 2018
Dear Mother, On this Mother's Day, we remember that it has been five years since you left this world. And yet the time goes by so quickly, it seems like such a short time ago. We came for Rebecca's graduation yesterday, and know how proud you would have been of her. I am finishing knitting a sweater you started some decades ago. I don't know who you had in mind when you began it - but Rebecca will have it, to remember us both. Still missing you... Love always, Joanne
May 12, 2018
May 12, 2018
Hi Mother. Your Granddaughter graduated college today. You would be so very proud of her. She is a smart, resourceful, beautiful, independent, and fierce young woman. She is a joy to have around and so sorry you only got her for a short time. We miss you but are thinking of you and all you did for us to get us to where we are today. Love you. Will
May 12, 2017
May 12, 2017
Dear Mother, It has been four years since you left us, and I still miss you as much as ever. I am so melancholy today. It is heartening to read through the tributes on this page and know how many people have fond memories of you, and how many lives you touched. You are in my heart and with me always. Love forever, Joanne
May 12, 2017
May 12, 2017
Gosh, it's hard to believe it's been four years. Aunt Phyllis was always such a wonderful person to be around. She brought humor and perspective that felt good to hear and learn from. With love, Steve
December 12, 2014
December 12, 2014
On this occasion of the anniversary of Aunt Phyllis's birth, I reflect on the fact that all three sisters are departed: my Mom, and Aunts Phyllis and Rachael. I look at the succession of pictures at the top of this page of Grandma Clara when her children were wee ones to the time when Aunt Phyllis herself was grandma to Rebecca, and I take in the arc of life. We are all the beneficiaries of a wonderful family line from the Flint/Johnson pairing.

I have so many wonderful specific memories of Aunt Phyllis at so many family gatherings. She was always quick to smile, and her common-sense, warm approach to life was remarkable.

With loving memories, Nephew Steve
December 12, 2014
December 12, 2014
Dear Aunt Phyllis,
I just decorated our Christmas tree and I am always reminded of you as I hang the many beautiful ornaments you made for me. You were such a fine role model with your impeccable workmanship. Thanks for setting such a good example. I miss you, love, Katherine
December 12, 2014
December 12, 2014
Mother,
On this day of the 89th anniversary on your arrival in this world, we remember you and all the love you gave us. 
Love always, Joanne
December 11, 2014
December 11, 2014
Happy Birthday. Thinking of you and missing you.

Will
May 12, 2014
May 12, 2014
Dear Mother, On this first anniversary since you left us, I still miss you. But I know that you will always be with me. You are inside me in so many ways: the love of creating beautiful and/or delicious things, playing games, traveling, entertaining, the importance of family, your generosity, the love you always showed, and so many other things. Love forever, Joanne
May 12, 2014
May 12, 2014
Thinking of you today, Mother. Love you and miss you. Rebecca turned 18 a couple days ago. She's all grown up and you would be very proud of her.
December 12, 2013
December 12, 2013
I said this back in May when I first posted to this site, but on the occasion of what would have been her 88th birthday, I have nothing but good memories of Aunt Phyllis. She was a very special person. I will always miss her sense of humor and upbeat approach to life.
December 11, 2013
December 11, 2013
Happy 88th Birthday, Mother. I miss you. Love always, Joanne
December 11, 2013
December 11, 2013
Happy Birthday Mother. You always said you new your birthday was coming when it snowed. We rang in your birthday with a couple pretty decent snows this year. We love you and miss you.
September 13, 2013
September 13, 2013
Phyllis was the FHA sponsor at Plainfield. In that capacity, she encouraged me to run for sectional and state offices in that organization, and she drove me to those events. She was a wonderful role model and an important part of the high school life. We kept in touch through Christmas cards until she moved away.
May 29, 2013
May 29, 2013
I have many memories of kind, gracious, generous, smart Aunt Phyllis. In 1976 Aunt Phyllis gave me her old Pfaff sewing machine for my high school graduation present. Recently I've used that machine to sew 3 down sleeping bags, and I think of Aunt Phyllis with every stitch. I'm lucky to have a tangible reminder of her wit and skill accompany me as I sew!
May 19, 2013
May 19, 2013
I wll always remember Mrs. P. sitting at her table: playing cards, working on a craft, working on a tasty tidbit and joining us high school girls in conversations. She always had something to add and encouraged each of us to grab for the gusto.
May 17, 2013
May 17, 2013
I first met Phyllis soon after I met Joanne, our freshman year at Knox. My family was far away in Colorado, but on Parent's Weekends, Phyllis made me part of her family. Later, when Joanne & I were sharing a house in Colorado, Phyllis would call to talk to Joanne. If Jo was gone, she would have a good long chat with me, despite the cost of long distance back then. She will be deeply missed
May 17, 2013
May 17, 2013
I loved Aunt Phyllis's laugh. I have so many memories of her and time spent in Joliet. I remember when I was first learning to sew and it meant so much to me when she approved of one of my projects. She was such a fabulous cook and baker. The handmade Christmas ornaments and the growth chart she gave me when Claire was born are family treasures. Love, Kacki
May 15, 2013
May 15, 2013
She was the best Mother-In-Law anyone could hope for who welcomed me into her home during the toughest time of my life. Christmas without my children who were in Samoa. She not only graciously accepted this stranger into her home, but made feel as though I was a long time friend of the family and later she became the ideal grandma to my children, who she had never met before.
May 14, 2013
May 14, 2013
She was a wonderful mother. I so admire her ability to raise two young children in the 1950s - before child care centers existed - with the help of my Grandma and Grandpa. She was so strong and loving. I was very grateful to have spent several days with her before her death. Love forever, Joanne
May 14, 2013
May 14, 2013
Joanne & Will -- I have tons of great memories of Aunt Phyllis: sleepovers at your house when we were kids, going out for hot fudge sundaes when your family took me on vacation with you to Michigan, lots of Christmases and Thanksgivings and Easters, and, of course, a million games of Oh Hell. It wasn't often that I ended up with a higher score than your mom! Lots of love to both of you.
May 14, 2013
May 14, 2013
We were so looking forward to seeing Aunt Phyllis at the Johnson Reunion in July. She was such a good person and I have wonderful memories of her since childhood. Her wit, her intelligence, her common sense, her laugh. She was always so kind and supportive.
With love, Steve, Cathy, and Eric

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Recent Tributes
December 11, 2023
December 11, 2023
Happy Birthday Mother. We love you and miss you, especially at this time of year. 
May 13, 2023
May 13, 2023
Sweet Mrs Parrish, I learnt so much from you in home economics class. Many of those skills i still use today. I remember what a kind demeanor you had. Your children and their children were very lucky to have you in their lives. Thank you again for all you did for me.. Fly high among the angels 
May 12, 2023
May 12, 2023
Dear Mother,
10 years! The time has gone by so quickly, it doesn't seem nearly so long. I still miss you. But you are still with me every day, especially in my culinary and creative endeavors.
I love this time of year, as you did, with more flowers coming into bloom each day. The lilacs and lily of the valley are blooming now, and I picked some for you this morning.
Last year at this time, we were on Prince Edward Island, celebrating Rebecca's graduation from veterinary school. And now she is working as a veterinarian, as you knew was always her goal. You would be so proud.
Next month, we are having another Johnson-Flint family reunion - the third one here in Colorado. You would love our reunions here, up in Estes Park. We will be remembering and celebrating you, your sisters and cousins, parents, aunts and uncles. Your cousin John will hopefully be able to attend. He's the last of your generation.
Loving and remembering you always,
Joanne
Recent stories

Sewing with Mrs. Parrish

May 31, 2013

I had the good fortune of taking the elective class of beginning sewing at joliet east in '79 or '80. This class taught me skills that a stay- at- home mom has used many, many times.  From sewing up a shepherd coustume for Christmas pagent or a Halloween costume or hemming or letting hems out as children grow.  I knew we were not dealing with a rookie at all. I marveled at how she could take a flimsy paper outline and a stack of farbic and create something wearable!  She made it fun and I couldn't wait to get to class.  I was glad to read that she was able to enjoy a long retirement and was always surrounded by family.  Everytime I get my Pfaff machine out, the SAME model as in high school no less, I think of you Mrs. Parrish.

A wonderful teacher

May 16, 2013

I was in Mrs. Parrish's home ec class at East (and after 35 years I still can't call her by her first name).  She was a wonderful instructor -- I had her for only one year but I learned so much.  It might have seemed like basic material at the time, but what I learned in her classes has paid off for years.

Playground

May 15, 2013

Rebecca and Grandma donated to help build the playground.  Their names are on the pickets behind them.

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