Obituary of Phyllis Sharon Delaney

Phyllis S. Delaney

Summerside-Irishtown, NL 

We now need to learn how to stand without the one who always held us up. She was more than our rock; she was our mountain. Our Phyllis. Our strength in every season.

After a short five-week journey with cancer, Phyllis Delaney (nee Taylor) passed away peacefully at the Western Health Palliative Care Unit, meeting her mom and dad at Heaven’s door.

Left to celebrate the life and love of Phyllis are her loving husband of almost 52 years, Tony Sr.; her son, her one and only, Tony Jr.; her daughter-in-law and built-in best friend, Heather; and the three brightest lights of her life, the ones who brought her so much happiness - Nana’s pride and joy, Jack, Elle, and Sam. Phyllis will also be sadly missed by her siblings: Mary (George Davis), Randy (Alma), Susan (Wade Butler), her sidekick Janet (Fred Wheeler), and baby brother Robert (Lori); her brothers-in-law, Edward and Marty; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews Especially “the girls” Tara (Andy), Krista (Mark), Rochelle (David), and Raquel (Kyle). She will also be dearly missed by people that she held dearly and that dearly held her: Rod, Robyn, Connie, Randy, and Brooklyn, The Oxford Family, lifelong friends Emma and Brenda, as well as Jack’s partner, Mackenzie.

Phyllis was a woman of few wants: a crisp can of Coke, an evening episode of Dateline, a good book, or a turkey dinner with family. She loved having a cleaning cloth in her hand, looking at the latest pictures of her Indie Rae on the iPad, bopping around Corner Brook with Janet, and walking the path back and forth to her son’s house, just up "over the hill." More than anything, she was most content being with her family, and nothing brought her more joy than sitting with her grandchildren, hearing about their latest adventures - Whether in the living room after Sunday dinner, at the cabin over a game of Skip-Bo, or on the boat in Woods Island Harbour. She was so proud of those three, and it was clear her world revolved around them.

Phyllis had a long and successful career at Corner Brook’s CNA campus but happily retired to full-time Nana in 2014.

Phyllis was predeceased by her loving parents, Austin and Doreen Taylor (nee Christopher); her parents-in-law, John Felix and Nettie-Hope Delaney (nee Allen); her sister-in-law Joan (Ivan); and her brothers-in-law John Alfred, Christopher, and Len Snook.

Phyllis’s family would like to take this time to thank the many healthcare professionals who crossed her path during her short five-week journey: her family physician, Dr. Waghmere; specialist Dr. Mottay; and their respective office teams; the Western Health Cancer Centre (a special shout-out to Lori and her hugs); Western Health X-ray staff; the endo suite staff; and Mandy Park for being “gentle.” Much appreciation is also extended to the staff at the WLTCH Palliative Care Unit, especially Dean (with “the good face"), and Bonnie (with the "nice laugh"), who brought her so many smiles during her last days. A huge thank you to Dr. Fleming as well for her care and compassion. The Palliative Care staff, each and every one of them, truly give the best hugs.  Throughout this past month, Phyllis left every test and appointment praising the healthcare professionals she encountered, and her family will be forever grateful for the exceptional care and respect she received.

Family and friends may visit St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Summerside on Tuesday, April 7th, from 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. A celebration of life will take place on Wednesday, April 8th at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, with Rev. Terry Loder and Rev. Greg Loder officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery. Those wishing to honour her memory may do so by donating to the Templeton Academy Breakfast Program.

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."