Peacefully, at home, on Saturday, May 23, 2020, Phylis (McBride) Deichert, one week before her 91st birthday. Loving wife for 63 years of the late Earl Deichert (2016), and dear mother of John of Angus, Susan of Ottawa, and the late Elizabeth (2007). Sadly missed by brother Wesley McBride of Zurich, and brother- and sisters-in-law Edward Deichert and Karen Rader of London, Dorothy Elligsen of Stratford, Margaret L. Deichert of Zurich, and Mary McBride of Hensall. Predeceased by parents Roy and Margaret (McNain) McBride, brothers Hugh, Keith and John McBride, and brothers- and sisters-in-law Marjory McBride, Elaine Colquhoun, Harvey and Edith Hohner, Clifford and Laura Pepper, Edgar Elligsen, Claire and Margaret J. Deichert, and Elaine Deichert. Fondly remembered by her many nephews and nieces.
Phylis was an elementary school teacher for 35 years. Starting at age 18, she taught 10 years in one-room schoolhouses in Stanley and Hay Townships, followed by 7 years at Zurich Public School and 18 years at Hensall Public School. In retirement, she was active in the church Sunday School and the ELW, Scouts, Golden Agers and Quilters’ Guild. She especially enjoyed playing piano with various groups, providing entertainment at local nursing homes.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses and PSWs of Saint Elizabeth Health Care and Care Partners for their care and willingness to come to Phylis’ home so that she could spend her final days there.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Zurich on Wednesday, May 27 at 11 AM with Pastor Nadine Schroeder-Kranz officiating. Haskett Funeral Home, ZURICH entrusted with arrangements. A celebration of Phylis’ life will be held at a later date when friends and family can come together to share their memories of her.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Zurich would be appreciated by the family
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Peggy Humphries
John and Susan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Our Moms went to Normal School (for teaching) in Stratford many years ago and sat together throughout that time (due to alphabetical order) and got to know each other well.
They exchanged Christmas letters and went to the teacher’s reunions over the years, so I had a chance to meet and get to know her through those experiences.
I reached out on the passing of my Mom in February and she was so kind and spoke fondly of times with my Mom and some of the “adventures” they had in school, which was a special moment for me.
Liz Rossnagel
Dear Susan and John
I just heard of the passing of your mom. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I only met your mom once or twice but your sister Elizabeth, (my friend from UWO Political Science days and fellow Lutheran) always spoke so proudly of her and, I knew that she had extreme influence on how you two and Elizabeth conducted your lives and excelled. I always thought that Elizabeth’s personality was somewhat like your mom’s.
May she rest in peace along side her husband and daughter.
Joan Elliott and Evert Van Sligtenhorst
Phyllis always did everything to the best whether it was teaching or volunteering in the community. What an amazing life she had. Our sympathy to you John and Susan
Bob Heywood
John and Susan. Our condolences to you in the loss of your dear mother. She was a good presence in her community. My mom grew up on the Goshen and knew your mom and the McBride family all her life. Martha remembers and appreciated her as being a firm but fair teacher in the Hensall school. I know she was very proud of both of your accomplishments. If you are in Exeter John drop into the office and we can reminisce about Grade 9 in 69.
Bob and Martha (Rooseboom) Heywood
Sheila and Ray McBride
Susan and John:
We would like to express our sorrow and condolences to you. Your mother was a truly extraordinary woman, who became the matriarch of our family for over 30 years after the passing of Grandma McBride in 1988. May your Mom rest in peace.
Sheila and Ray
Kathy Kirk
My condolences to family and friends of Phyllis.. My thoughts are with you..
marlene.tony bedard
Our SYMPATHY TO ALL INVOLVED .Enjoyed doing tied quilts with her and Diane Thiel as well as the rest of the group at the Lutheren church for 2 yrs.
Emilie McBride
My condolences for the passing of Phylis. I will always remember her wit and strength.
Pat and Ken Pollock
Our sympathy to you John and Susan.
Mom was a great lady and will never be forgotten.
Sincerely Pat and Ken Pollock
Margaret and Garnet McBride
Susan and John,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
We will surely miss the presence of your mother at family gatherings.
Her knowledge of our family’s heritage and history always amazed us, and will be greatly missed.
Marg and Garnet
Al & Sharon Brokenshire
John and Susan our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, you will miss your mother
She was my teacher at SS # 4 w. school when she lived with Harvey and Edith
Sincerest sympathy
Sharon and Allan Brokenshire
Wayne Nigh
John, so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Wayne and Laurie
Stu Steckle
John and Susan,
Your mom was my first teacher in school. I always considered her to be very intelligent. The reason being when I graduated into grade two she thought I was getting bored so she moved me into grade three. That meant a lot to a farm boy going through school on the fast track. Her Christmas concerts were the best as well as her musical abilities. A very respectable lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Stu Steckle
Marg and Earl Horner
John and Susan,we are very sorry to hear about your mother.I was fortunate to have taught and car pooled with her for many years.She will be sadly missed by many people.Remember all the good times you had with her and with all of your family.
Marg and Earl Horner
John and Susan,we are so sorry to hear about your mother.I was fortunate to have taught and car pooled with her for many years.She will be sadly missed by many people.Remember all the good times you had with her and with all of your family. Marg and Earl Horner
Glenn and Missy Pfaff
Please accept our deepest condolences. We were happy to get to know Phyllis when we looked after the grass at her home in Zurich. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Ross & Susan Cordell
John & Susan & Family
May it comfort you to know that our sympathy and caring thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Although we have only known your mother for a few short years, we feel privileged and honoured to have her as our friend. She was always willing to share past history of St. Peter’s Lutheran and Zurich for our benefit. The “back pew” won’t be the same without your Mother sitting there! God Bless.
Ross & Susan Cordell
Douglas Deichert
Our thoughts and prayers are with you John & Susan.
Doug & Joanne Deichert & Family
Margaret (Elligsen) Hull
John and Susan,
I always loved chatting with your mom at family reunions. Aunt Phylis had so many interests, and was a very thoughtful and energetic person. When I became a teacher, we had even more to talk about. It’s not surprising that all three of you grew up to be people of intelligence, commitment and integrity. I will continue to cherish Aunt Phylis’s thoughtfulness in passing on keepsakes from Elizabeth, and my lovely quilt, embroidered with the year 2011.
In this unusually difficult time, may the loving devotion you have shown for her help to lighten your sorrow.
Cousin Margie Hull
Margaret (Zapfe) Allan
When I was in grade seven at S.S.#10 Stanley, Miss McBride was starting her career. We were her first school. I have kept in touch somewhat over the years. We drove past her house on Friday and I had kind thoughts of her. So sorry for your loss. A great person!
Olive Martin
My deepest sympathy in the passing of your mother. I first met her when she taught me in grades 5 to 8 at S.S. #4 East Stanley. She boarded with Harvey and Edith Horner who lived across the road from our farm. She started every morning by reading us a story from Hurlbuts Story Of the Bible. There were the usual lessons and lots of music and of course the annual Christmas concerts. Many good memories of a very special lady.
Jack Zondag
Your mother was my first teacher in Ontario in June 1951 when my parents arrived from Europe. She had a world of patience for me as I learned to read and pronounce words from Dick and Jane. I met her again in August 2002 at a School reunion . I have maintained contact with her over the years. She was a kind and wonderful Christian . May her faith be your heritage.
John & Bonnie Elligsen
John & Susan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Your mom has lived a very full and meaningful life. May you take heart in knowing that she will rest in eternal peace with our Lord and Saviour.
God be with you til we meet again.
Sincerely,
John & Bonnie
Sharon and Ted Sanders
Dear John and Susan,
May you find comfort in the love of others that surround you at this time of your loss. Praying that you will feel God’s love as you mourn your Mom, who was loved by so many at St. Peter’s.
I have many fond memories of starting up St. Peter’s junior choir with her after we moved back to the area. Hard to believe we had 40 plus children participating.
She will be deeply missed in our congregation.
Ann and Peter Bornath
Dear Susan and John,
Thinking of you both during this difficult time. The back of the church won’t be the same without your Mom. Please know that even with “social distancing” you are thought of and we are with you.
Sincerely, Ann and Peter
Al and Dianne
Susan and John, so sorry for the loss of your Mother. Know that she’s in good hands and with your Dad and Elizabeth.
Thoughts and prayers are sent your way and to all extended families.
Love and Deepest condolences
Stephen Slessor
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, Susan. I miss having you at work but hope that you and your family are finding comfort together in this trying time. My thoughts are with you.
Stephen
Pauline Miller
My deepest sympathy John and Susan, and also the Deichert and McBride families in the passing of Phylis. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad and difficult time. John and Susan, your Mom will be missed by many, it was always nice to have a chat and visit with her. Our St. Peter’s family will miss her! Gods Blessings!
Bev & Hub Thiel
Our sincere condolences to John and Susan and the extended families. Our time with your mom was a pleasure & a privilege. She was a teacher and friend to my husband Hub and a dear close friend to me. I enjoyed our chats and participating in church events together. We are both going to miss her and so honoured to have known her. She will always be in our hearts. Love Bev & Hub
Mary & Jim Whitney
Our condolences to you John , Susan & all the family on your loss . We have many fond memories of Phyllis & she will be missed by friends & family.
Mary & Jim Whitney
Alma Westlake
Our sincere sympathy to both of you, John and Susan, in the passing of your mother.
She was a great lady; –
– steadfast in her faith and her church,
– unwavering in her love for her family,
– devoted to her love of learning and teaching,
– committed to her responsibility to community, and
– unwavering in her understanding of the principles of right and wrong.
Phylis will be missed in the back pew.
God bless.
Sincerely
Robert and Alma
Joanne Miller
Susan, I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. My thoughts are with you,
Joanne
Alice Deichert
John and Susan
My deepest sympathy in the passing of your mother. I first met Phylis when she taught me in Grade 5,6 and 7 at S.S No 10 Stanley. Her first school! I have fond memories of those years. Then I went on to marry a
Deichert and Phylis sat behind our family in church. I will miss seeing her Sunday mornings. Treasure your memories! My prayers are with you.
Joanne Dorothy Bender
Dear John and Susan, We are thinking of you as you lay your dear mother to rest. Aunt Phylis was always a part of my life, always there at Deichert family get-togethers. I appreciated her love of teaching and learning. She worked very hard to impart knowledge to hundreds of students. At the same time she worked hard, along with Uncle Earl, to raise three intelligent, accomplished and caring children. Her love of music struck a chord in me. We were deeply touched by her generosity in giving us one of her many handmade quilts, which we use every night on our bed. She has lived a good life. May you feel comfort in knowing that you did everything you could to make her earthly life comfortable and meaningful.
Alice Deichert
My deepest sympathy in the passing of your mother. I first met Phylis when she taught me in Grade 5,6 and 7 at S.S No 10 Stanley. Her first school! I have fond memories of those years. Then I went on to marry a
Deichert and Phylis sat behind our family in church. I will miss seeing her Sunday mornings. Treasure your memories! My prayers are with you.
Mark Heimrich
Susan, John and McBride and Deichert Families;
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you and continue to be. We will all remember your Mom/Phylis as a very sincere, honest and caring person. She was very devout in her faith and will be sorely missed by all in our Church Family at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. I was very touched to receive her personally written thank you card recently after dropping off a little care package at the house.
Our sincere condolences, love and hugs;
Mark & Julie Heimrich,
Sarah, Scott & Spencer.
Margaret Iveson
Dear Susan,
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you,
Margaret
Martine Brunet
Susan, I want to express to you and your brother my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother.
Beth Jennison
Mrs. Deichert was my Grade 4 teacher at Hensall Public School. I will always remember her smile and how kind she was to me. After lunch, we always had a sing-a-long with her playing the piano, learning fun songs like “throw you out the window”. Some teachers you never forget and Mrs Deichert was certainly one of mine. My sincere sympathy to you both, Beth Jennison.
Sue Rooney
Susan and John: I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. My thoughts are with you both during this difficult time.
Christa Ducharme
Dear Susan and John, my sincerest condolences on the passing of your mother. May you find peace in the many memories you have, and may she be welcomed with loving arms to heaven. Thinking of you at this time.
Christa Ducharme
Judy Mills
To Phyllis’ Family;
Please accept my deepest sympathy at your loss. I remember Phyllis as a teacher when I first started teaching in what was known as Huron County in those days. I met her at a Professional Development workshop. She seemed to be listening to everything that was said and all the comments, but with mixed emotions. After the workshop we chatted. She asked numerous questions, made many comments and was most interested in everything we had heard. She was going to try to add some of these new ideas into her everyday routines in her class and was trying to figure out how best to do it. I enjoyed her honesty, her desire to try new concepts, even though the old ways worked perfectly well, and her willingness to listen. Although I did not see her often over the years, I learned to truly respect her views and opinions and enjoyed our chats. Being a piano player and loving music was just the icing on the cake! She will be missed. God Bless.
Marilyn Kenda
Susan and John
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother. I would always enjoy our chats whenever she would come into the bank. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you both during this difficult time.
RIP Phylis.💕
Joe and Marilyn Kenda
Ted and Hilda Lansbergen
Our sympathies to John and Susan in the loss of your mom. A good neighbor and we enjoyed our visits together.
Gary and Christine Eagleson
John and Susan.
We would like to offer our condolences to you at this time. We will miss your mother seated in the back pew of St Peters Lutheran Church. Thank goodness you could be with Phyllis during her illness.
Pat O'Rourke and family
John and Susan,, our thoughts and condolences to you from our family at this time.
Heidi Klopp
Our condolences Susan and John. I feel very blessed that I got to know Phylis better when I started working at BWRH. I always enjoyed our talks and the history lessons. She will be missed.
-Heidi Klopp and Adam Blanchard
Doris Hamilton
my sympathy John and Susan in your loss .Phylis was a long time member of Quilters Guild And created many works of art which I know you will treasure.
AS a member of Golden Agers contributed often topics of interest over the years.+
Gerald and Marg Hayter
A wonderful lady who will be missed by many!
Our sympathies to family and friends
Jeff and Lorraine Forrester
John, Susan and family. We are so sorry to hear about your Mother’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Joan and Paul Ducharme
We send our compassion and prayers
Phyllis was a great neighbor.
Wayne Kelker
John & Susan….Wayne and I were saddened to hear of Phylis passing. Know that our prayers and sympathy are always there.She was a very special lady. You both will have memories for sure. Bonnie & Wayne
Margaret Willert
Our sincere sympathy Susan and John. She will be sadly missed.
Margaret Willert and Family
Faye Skinner
John and Susan: My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Phylis was a volunteer of mine when I worked for One Care Home and Community Services. She would entertain with her talent at the piano and also with readings, poetry and her crafts. She will be missed in the community.
Melonie Miller
Sympathy & thoughts are with you …
Mrs Deichert taught me at Hensall Public School many years ago … and I was in classes with John at South Huron .
Always a kind teacher
Melonie ( Veal) Miller
Donna OBrien
Please know you both are in my special thoughts and prayers .I know your Mom has left you wonderful memories !
Sincerely,Donna
Marge Schilbe
My deepest sympathy to you Susan and John. Your mother was a special friend. We will all miss her.
Cathy and Gary Hugill
Our sincere condolences to John and Susan at this difficult time. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss your mother’s presence at St. Peter’s and her knowledge of the history of the church.
Mary Jo Egan
Susan and John, I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
shannon keller-laporte
John and Susan,
My sincere condolences in the loss of your dear Mother. I will truly miss our Sunday morning chats before church started and her gentle tap on my hand to wish me a good week on our departure. She was such a great teacher in Sunday School, she was steadfast in her faith. I attribute her in teaching me all the books of the Bible with a memorable song that I can still sing to this day! She will be truly missed during all my favorite hymns. May God grant you peace during this time of sadness and dear Phylis eternal rest of a life well lived. I will miss her in her pew…Or I liked to kid her the back of the bus. Much love.
Shannon Keller Laporte.
Doug and Joyce McBeath
Our sympathy to John, Susan, the McBride and Deichert families on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Lois and Doug Thiel
Sincere sympathy to John,Susan and all of Phylis’ family as you share many memories of her. May God surround you with His love as you grieve together. Our love,support and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. Lois and Doug.
Kay Wentzell
My sincere condolences to you at this sad time. I have many fond memories of Phylis and will remember her with fondness. May God Bless you. Kay
Phil and Laurie Erb
We send our sincere sympathy to you, John and Susan, in the loss of your loving mother. I always think of Phylis at Advent, when we sing the song she introduced to the children in Sunday School about the meaning of the Advent candles. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Darlene Lightfoot
Susan
So sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Nathalie Ayotte
My deepest condolences.
Doug ad Sharon Kyle
Sincere sympathy to your family at this difficult time. My mom (Mary Jacobe) taught with Phylis for several years at Hensall Public School. Cherish the memories.
Sincerely, Sharon Kyle and Mary Jacobe
Joyce Kirk
Well…the Goshen line has lost another one! My sympathy to John, Susan and family. Phylis was a really nice teacher, as I remember, and a good neighbor to our family. She is a lady I will never forget.
Jenni Boles
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. Phylis will be very missed.
George and Sue Wilson
Heartfelt condolences to Phyllis’ family. Your Mom played in a band with my Dad, Doug Insley. They enjoyed playing in nursing homes. Hugs and prayers, George and Sue Wilson
Marge Schilbe
My sincere sympathy to you Susan and John. Your mom was a special friend. She will be missed.
Darlene Sloat
Jerry and I send our condolences and love. Phylis will be missed.
Darlene and Jerry Sloat
ElIne and George Keller
John And Susan, our thoughts are with you at this time.