Phyllis Elaine Mickelson joined her family in Heaven on Friday morning, November 1, 2013. She passed away peacefully at her home while surrounded by her family, friends, pastor, and loving pets.
Phyllis was born on July 15, 1926 in Walla Walla, Washington, the daughter of Winton and Marie (Piersol) Googins. She was raised and attended school in Walla Walla, graduating from high school and later attending Whitman College there. She then transferred to Washington State University where she completed 31/2 years in the nursing program.
She met her husband, Bob Mickelson, while they were both working as councilors at the School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington. They were married on October 6, 1950, and in the years to follow had five children, 3 born in Vancouver, WA and 2 born in Spokane, WA.
Phyllis had various jobs over the years, most of which were in the medical profession. She retired from the Medical Transcription Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, WA (for the third and final time) in the later part of the 90’s.
In later years Phyllis and Bob were very active in the Covenant Church, traveling to Alaska as missionaries with the church and helping to establish Alaska Christian College in Soldatna, Alaska. She and Bob also worked with their son, Garth, in the Hayden/ Coeur’d Alene area of Idaho to open The House of Hope, a Christian home helping women coming out of prison to reestablish themselves.
She is survived by her children, Ann Jeffries (Jeff), from Clear Lake, WA, Wendy Sekora (Jack), from Sedro-Woolley, WA, Jill Tyler (Steve) from Soldatna, AK, and Garth Mickelson (Vicki) from Hayden, ID; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and her beloved pets Doolley, Patrick and Buddy.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bob and daughter Meaghan Mulligan.
Phyllis lived a rich and full life. She loved her family, pets, and friends; she loved to play music on the piano as well as listen to many different genres; she loved the outdoors and swimming; she loved to read, do word puzzles, color, and play solitaire on the computer; she loved Alaska; and she really loved a good adventure. And, while her earthly family rejoices that she is finally home, she will be sorely missed by all of us. We love you, Mom.
Friends and family will be gathering together to celebrate Phyllis’ life on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2:00PM at the Community Covenant Church in Clear Lake, WA. In memory of Phyllis memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.