DYKES, Phyllis May
With saddened hearts Dorothy, Cheryl, and Gail announce the passing of their beloved mum, Phyllis May Dykes on March 25th, 2013. Phyllis was born in Grays, Essex County, England on October 8th, 1927 the second child of seven. Phyllis was in London during the blitz bombing of World War II and that is where she met her future husband, Canadian Thomas Dykes a gunner in the 37 Battery, 17 Field Regiment, 5th Canadian Armoured Division and they were married there. She travelled to Canada on the first bomber converted to passenger use landing in Halifax, and then travelled by train to Red Deer where her husband's family owned a mink ranch near the Waskasoo area south of Red Deer. Phyllis and Tom eventually moved to the North Hill in Red Deer and started their own mink ranch. For several years they won awards for their mink pelts at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto and also at the Montreal Fur Show before retiring from the mink business in 1957. Phyllis worked at the Red Deer Adviser before she was employed by the Alberta Fish and Wildlife office in Red Deer and worked there until her retirement in 1987. She also worked part time for Boucher's Telephone Answering Service. Phyllis was active in the Red Deer Toastmistress Club, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and the Canadian War Bride Society. Phyllis also served her church St. Luke's Anglican teaching Sunday school, doing visitations, and serving on the Alter Guild. She also volunteered at the Golden Circle and the Red Deer Museum. Phyllis is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Dorothy Edmundson, Cheryl Pyne, and Gail (Bob) Lewis; grandchildren, Doug Sparrow, Colleen (Rob) Whitley, and Karen (Jason) Park; and great grandchildren, Morgan and Blake Sparrow, Patrick and Michael Whitley, Henry and Gwendelynn Park; one sister Doreen in England; and a dear family friend Joyce Piebiak; as well as her extended family and many other friends. Phyllis was predeceased by five of her siblings and son-in-laws Dale Pyne and Jim Edmundson. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff in the Emergency Department at the Red Deer Regional Hospital for their excellent care and attention preceding Phyllis's passing. A Celebration of Life service for Phyllis will be held at St. Luke's Anglican Church at 4929 - 54 Street in Red Deer on April 13th, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The family invites all those attending to stay for lunch and fellowship in the church hall following the service. E-mail condolences can be sent in care of:
joelle@parklandfuneralhome.com