My deepest condolences. Thinking of your family at this difficult time.

It was a pleasure to have known Phyllis—her gardening skills were truly remarkable. One of my fondest memories with her was our friendly competition to see who could grow the best vegetables. I was convinced my tomatoes were the finest, until I realized her expertise far surpassed mine.

Catherine and Sheila: first our sincere condolences. Rest assured my mom is at the Pearly Gates with arms wide open to greet her bird loving friend. Your mom taught mom all about the birds, and she enjoyed your hospitality with the annual Cavan get together at your beautiful home once a year. Mom looked forward to this outing. We have so many memories that we can share, but we are holding them close to our heart. I stopped in at Orangeville a year ago and your mom took one look at me and said “You’re a Goodfellow”. Thank you for keeping in touch with your family updates.
Brenda and Earle, Kevin, Donna and Don and Scott

Dear Sheila, Catherine, Russell and Ken –
How well you all loved and cared for Phyllis, as she had done for all of you. While you will miss her deeply, may you find peace and joy in remembering her life with you, and in having each other to hold dear. I will think of her whenever I see a zinnia blooming.

Catherine and Sheila –
So sorry to hear about your Mom. 92 years is an incredible life. A lot of people will remember reading her column and probably learning something about birds every time they sat down to read it. Castlederg Sideroad was a great place to study the flying creatures.
“Hi” and condolences to Russ as well. For some reason, I was just thinking about his 32-ounce plaque at the Elliott Steak House yesterday.
Glen Early

Dear Catherine,

I’m so sorry to hear that your Mom passed away. Although I never met her, I heard such wonderful things about her and have read her column in the past. She had a full life and an amazing family – a very lucky woman! My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Nancy Shaw

Phyllis had a long, happy, and productive life and it has been a great privilege for me to have known her since her marriage to Ken. I, along with family and friends, remember enjoying many great times with Phyllis and her family on vacations, anniversaries, birthdays etc. As members of OAC class ’56, we remember the big part Phyllis and Ken played in organizing class reunions and trips and the endless distribution of news that kept us together.

Ken, Sheila and Catherine

What a delight it was to know Phyllis during her visits to Sheila! A truly lovely lady in every way. We are so sorry about her passing. Prayers and love to all of you.
Sue and Paul Czarnionka

Our sincere condolences to Ken and all of the Graydon family on the passing of Phyllis. She was a wonderful lady and will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved her.

Warm condolences to Ken, Catherine and Sheila from your Castlederg neighbours. We have fond memories of visits and support including weekly piano lessons.

Harvey and Lorraine Witty

Sheila and Catherine
We have never met, but I always enjoyed reading the column each week, in the Bolton paper by your Mother of all the birds people spotted.
A friend Edna Wright, Caledon East area

I enjoyed working with Phyllis at Chez Thrift for many years. Her sense of humor was great and she was a
joy to work with. My deepest sympathies to the family.

Condolences to Catherine and all the family. She was a lovely person. Relish your fondest memories of her.

My deepest condolences to all of you on the loss of Phyllis. I have so many wonderful memories of her from over the years. She was an amazing lady.

My deepest condolences to the family Have only known Phyllis for about a year. Such a lovely woman

We are so sorry for your loss. Our families shared many happy memories together. Phyllis was a lovely person with a beautiful smile, a mischievous giggle and a profound knowledge of birds and plant life. May she rest in peace.

Susan, Donna, Beth (The Sangster family).

We hold our memories and love for Phyllis close to our hearts and keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
We were blessed to call her friend.

Our sincere condolences to you all. Jim and I have many happy memories of times spent together. Prayers and hugs, Jim and mary

Ken, Catherine & Sheila, we are so saddened to hear of your loss.

Phyllis will live forever in the stories we tell…
Her birds, the missing puzzle piece, the missing pralines. These are the moments in life that bring friends together as family.

Love from Dave, Ruvy & Lillian
THE Morgans

Ken. Catherine and Sheila

So sorry to hear of Your wife and Mom’s passing. You and your family will be in our prayers

Larry and Heather Stewart Laidlaw

We have many fond memories of Phyllis from our years at Cavan Presbyterian Church – car rallies, plant sales, strawberry suppers, Church Ladies Christmas dinners, all the wonderful fellowship of those good years.

Deepest sympathies , Ken , Sheila, and Catherine on Phyllis passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know Phyllis and family through my endeavours helping the family keep their beautiful property in pristine condition. I so enjoyed talking to Phyllis after finishing my work as I too had an appreciation for birding and nature.

Our condolences to Phyllis’ family on her passing. She was a fascinating lady and we always enjoyed her column in the paper. We connected a few times over the years as she helped me identify birds in our backyard in Bolton. A life well lived!

Ken And The Graydon Family. Our Deepest At This Difficult Time . We Enjoyed The Company Of Phyllis And Ken When They Came To The Shop For Service Or Advice On Purchasing Vehicles. She Will Be Missed , May All The Good Times And Memories Give You Strength At This Time . She Was An Incredible Person . May She Rest In Peace. Bill

Ken And The Graydon Family. Our Deepest Condolences At This Difficult Time . We Enjoyed The Company Of Phyllis And Ken When They Came To The Shop For Service Or Advice On Purchasing Vehicles. She Will Be Missed , May All The Good Times And Memories Give You Strength At This Time . She Was An Incredible Person . May She Rest In Peace. Bill

Dear Ken, Catherine, Sheila and family.
I was heartbroken to hear of Phyllis’s passing. I have known this beautiful lady for almost 30 years and have always appreciated her classiness and poise.
Her entire life was devoted to Ken, her family and the wonderment that is nature. She was a wonderful and loving lady.

I will miss her.

KEN ,,,PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE CONDOLENCE FOR YOUR LOSS,
I ALSO AM A LIFELONG BIRD WATCHER…AND WILL NOW THINK OF PHYLLIS WITH EVERY NEW SIGHTING .
SINCERELY ; DICK PATERSON

Ken
Our deepest condolences. Phyllis was a great lady and our thoughts are with you and your family.

Peter and Susan

Dear Ken,

I was deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. On behalf of everyone at CADA, please accept our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts are with you and your family as you navigate this incredibly difficult time.

If there is anything you need or any way we can support you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you strength and comfort in the days ahead.

Most Sincerely,

Tim Reuss
President & CEO
Canadian Automobile Dealers Association

Ken, Sheila, Catherine and Russell:
It is with deep sadness that we mourn Phyllis’ death. From early cottage memories at Lake Commanda to Gloucester Pool and many lakes in between, to theatre dates and Swiss Chalet dinners, to nature walks and birding, to card games and jig saw puzzles, we remember her. She was a talented and classy lady. She is profoundly missed.
Blessings at this difficult time, Shirley

I miss Phyllis so much, as we end thirty years of friendship, weekly walks together, lunch in the woods, sometimes on a snowy log and so on .
Your loss is so very much greater that I cannot imagine it. You have my love and deepest condolences at this time.
Elizabeth

My deepest condolences on the loss of such a wonderful lady.
I came to know Phylis at Caven Church. Always strong , kind hearted and positive.
At one time submitted a photo of what she identified as a Saw-whet owl in her article.
Every time I drive the 15th sideroad I always think of that spot as the Grayden’s and probably always will.

Catherine and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your mom was an incredible lady and I loved volunteering with her at Chez Thrift. She was wonderful with the clients, always had a smile and kind word for everyone. I learned so much from your mom about identifying all the birds from her columns. I have your mom to thank for now sharing her knowledge with my grandchildren on our nature walks. I hope that the beautiful legacy she leaves behind can bring you comfort during these difficult days. She is at peace now and will always be in your hearts.

Dear Ken,
Please accept my sincerest condolences to you and your family for the passing of Phylis. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Stay strong my friend.
Warmest regards
John White

Dear Family,
I was searching for a way to contact Ken and Phyllis as my mom has just passed away and I wanted to let them know. I was shocked and saddened to see this obituary. I remember Ken and Phyllis fondly when I was a child in Bolton. I believe we left Bolton in 1966. My parents were Doug and Kay Cupples. My mom passed away on February 6, she had just turned 93. I remember fun times at the cottage with Sheila and Catherine. I’ve forgotten where the cottage was.
I also remember Phyllis as a kind and gentle woman. Condolences to you all, and love to Ken

My deepest sympathy Ken, Cat and Sheila.
Some of my best memories are of birding with Phyllis or checking out her gardens.
The world will be a smaller place without her.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

Terry & Rhonda

Catherine and family, my deepest condolences on the passing of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

R.I.P she served me many times at the thrift store very pleasant

To Ken and family, my condolences to the Graydon family. Phyllis was usually my partner during snack/coffee times at Church.
Sleep-in-Peace Phyllis. Miss you.
Euleta

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy. Eskimo proverb
This is where I say hello to the lovely kind and gentle Phyllis.
Thank you, lady, for teaching me about birds and flowers, and sharing your Christmases with me at Sheila’s home for so many years. You and Ken were second parents to me when mine were so many miles away.
I will miss you… .

Dear Ken, Catherine & Russell, and Sheila,

Thinking of you all and sending our heartfelt condolences. Phyllis touched so many lives with her warmth and generosity, and we feel truly grateful to have known her.

I will always think of her every time I pick up my bins. Her love for nature and birds was truly special “The Bird Lady” in every way. I can only imagine the beautiful chorus that welcomed her with open wings

May you find comfort in the cherished memories and the love that surrounds you during this difficult time.

Catherine

Sorry to hear of your mums passing.

I know that you will be comforted by the full life your mum led
Bill

Phyllis was a lovely soul inside and out. Her love of birds and community and friendship to my grandmother Beryl Weeks will always bring warm memories to mind.

Phyllis was a well loved wife of Ken, mother of Catherine ( Russell Gray ) and Sheila and friend of everyone who knew her. Sandy and Jim Farley loved our trips and visits with Phyllis and her family.

Our deepest condolences to Ken, Sheila, Catherine & Russell on Phyllis’ passing. Phyllis was a longstanding member of the West Humber Naturalists Club in Kleinburg. Phyllis knew her birds and was a fine naturalist. We were part of her team for Area 8 in the Kleinburg Summer and Christmas Bird counts. She had a great sense of humour and a quick wit. Phyllis would remind Barry yearly to bring Dagmar’s freshly baked German Christmas cookies to the count-up for the Christmas Bird Count. We looked forward to Phyllis’ weekly bird articles in the local paper. It was like the social register to see if your names made it into the paper for an exciting local sighting that week. I would like to think that Phyllis is now birding the mythical Elysian Fields looking for rare and not so extinct birds in company with the wonderful Club members that have passed before her. As neighbours ‘down the road’ we have great birdy and non-birdy memories of Phyllis.