Celebrating Phyllis

Tall and lovely, dripping with talent, Phyllis brought us together to remember her life and make us laugh, and cry, one more time today.

As an actress, she could make you laugh or cry, but whatever the plot, she commanded the stage. As a singer, she lifted the soul, her voice, lighter than air, hitting it's mark every time, with crystal clear advantage. She was truly gifted. It was french horn in the community band and a needle and thread at home, producing fabulous quilts etc. Her beloved apartment overlooking the town, peaceful and in order, was her refuge until her mind began to betray her and she knew she needed to be closer to her children.

Paul and I had the time of our life coming along side her for a brief time while she gradually came to terms with letting go of the steering wheel and accepting life's transitions. Standing in the gap while her children prepared a place for her in Portland, we sat many times in her apt., petting her cats and hearing her stories...so many wonderful stories of her early years as a teacher, a librarian, and, of course, as she relived her roles in the plays, "Quilters", "On Golden Pond" and, particularly, "Shirley Valentine".

She adored her children and couldn't say enough about how proud she was of them. She celebrated their gifts and talents and rejoiced in every opportunity that came along in life for them. She was a mother who knew how to give her children wings.

Musicians and artists...what a difficult time they have letting go. There is always one more show, one more quilt, one more song to sing. How do you...when do you say "I'm done now"? Thanks to her lovely daughter, Allison, Phyllis didn't have to. Even in her memory loss, she was able to join a choir after moving north to Portland and she took center stage, one last time, today at her memorial. That's her in the center, singing an Italian Aria on video...thrilling us with every note and receiving one final standing ovation from the many musicians and actors gathered today. Marvelous!

Bravo, Phyllis Ann (Compton) Anderson...bravo!
February 26, 1930 - June 21, 2012