We Remember
HAWTHORNE, Phyllis Anne
November 27, 1934 — October 5, 2022
It’s with great sadness that we regret to announce the loss of our amazing mom, Phyllis Hawthorne. She passed away unexpectedly on October 5, 2022, in Kelowna, BC, at the age of 87.
Left to treasure her memory are her children Randy (Irene) Mayer, Rusty Vernerey, Sandy (Julie Morgan) Vernerey, Shelley Hanson, Wendy DeLorme, and Leigh-Anne Oswald, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Phyllis was predeceased by her first husband Joe Vernerey, and her second husband Tom Hawthorne.
Phyllis was born in Vancouver, BC and raised in Princeton, BC. She spent years in Northern BC before settling in Kamloops, BC, and then moving to Kelowna, BC in 1980. Phyllis called Kelowna home for over four decades, making a lasting impression on all those who met her.
Quick with a comeback and sharp as a tack, Phyllis kept her amazing sense of humour and meaningful conversational skills with her up to her unfortunate passing. She’d put you in your place with a twinkle in her eye. She was giving and cared for all those around her. She was always there to lend a hand or offer advice, those that knew her will miss her. Whether it was lifelong friends like Oril & Lou Ross, John & Brenda Dawson or many more both near and far, you all meant the world to her. She had a soft spot for her kids’ friends along the way that included the Day family and her “Good Son” Glen. She thought of them all as her own and had many a story to tell. Phyllis was married to Joe Vernerey until his untimely passing, and along with that came her extended family: Brian & Linda Vernerey, Ron Vernerey, and Beth & Dennis Kienzle, as well as their children and the many nieces and nephews that she considered her own.
Phyllis was lucky to share her life again with Dr. Tom Hawthorne, and we can’t thank his family enough for the great time they had together before his untimely passing. Later in life, Phyllis was able to connect with her niece, Kate Williams, and we’re thankful for the time they had together. Phyllis continues to be an inspiration to us all, and we’d give anything for one more day with her.
At her request, there will be no formal service, but given some time, we look forward to celebrating this amazing woman with all those that wish to attend.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Mom, we miss you, we love you…
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Condolences to Phyllis’ family. We have had many a visit over the years, the last was a special one with your mom and her friends sharing family memories around the table, lots of laughs that dinner for sure. She was a great friend to our mother Denise, Thinking of you all. Cliff and Dawn-Marie
I am so sad .But will treasure the times we had over meany years.So long for now.
Phyllis – Lovey, smart, caring, delightful, beautiful lady, we are going to miss you!!! Such a constant in our lives, I was honored to join in the monthly “Wise & Wine Club” luncheons filled with great laughs, fond stories’ of days past but not forgotten and the wisdom that comes from the journey of life…and of course the wine! You were always getting us organized, setting the date & researching places for us to go. Always up for an adventure, a movie, the theatre, a night out, a road trip, or just wine, appy’s, and games in the back yard. Gosh Phyll we Loved you! We Cherished you! We are going to Miss you!!! You have been a light in our family forever and now you light up the sky, and when we look up at night we will see you there. Love, Light, and Peace my friend, until we meet again.
So sorry to hear of Phyllys’s passing. Heather and I met her while on holiday and kept in touch since then. We missed her letter at Christmas and only found this obituary today.
Condolences from us in Northern Ireland