Phyllis Ann Twiss, 84, passed away November 27, 2023 at her home in Bothell, Washington. Phyllis was born May 25, 1939 in O’Neill, Nebraska to Stanley and Leta (Wilkinson) Kutscher. They moved to Seattle, WA when Phyllis was six months old, then to Sedro-Woolley in 1943, where she lived until she graduated from SWHS in 1957. She then moved to Seattle where she went to the University of Washington for a short time and studied business management. While going to school and working at Boeing as an Executive Secretary to support herself, she pursued her dancing career. She eventually moved to Las Vegas where she had the opportunity to back up dance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
She came back to Sedro-Woolley to teach dance for a short time in 1959, and that’s where she met the love of her life at the Downbeat Night Club in Seattle. She and Jerry were married September 2, 1960. They then made their home in Seattle, where Jerry worked as an executive for Ma Bell (AT&T); Phyllis obtained her Real Estate license and made that her hobby until Jerry passed in 2009.
They continued to travel to Las Vegas where they remained friends with Frank and his “ratpack”; they took friends and family there often to meet her “People”. They were Godparents to Dan and Jeanne Martin and lifelong friends to their parents, Frank and Bev Martin. We took many “runs” to Vegas with Jerry and Phil and got to experience their Glitzy, Glamorous lifestyle. They took Dan and Jeanne to Hawaii when we were in high school. Thank you both as that is where I fell in love with island life and have continued to go back often. It will now be a special place where I will think of you both. Jerry and Phil spent their life traveling to Hawaii, Australia, Cabo and Europe. They eventually owned homes in Hawaii and Cabo where they loved to Golf. They spent many years in retirement, doing what they both loved most, traveling, gambling, golf and yachting. Their special love was the Rocking K-T. If you know, you know.
Phyllis is survived by many cousins and lifelong friends, Amy Morris-Young and Judy (Rene) Eastman; her special friends from Mexico, Alfonso (Angelita) Escalera and Jose (Maria) Escalera.
Phyllis was preceded in death by husband, Jerry; grandparents and parents.
We would like to thank Hospice of Snohomish County, especially Susan Miller and Dr. Mendelsen for their ever-vigilant care and concern. To the Escalera family for their lifelong care and friendship.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00, Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, Pastor Jim Cannon presiding. Please share your memories of Phyllis and sign the online guest register.
