It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Phyllis Worgan, (“Phyllis”), at Shuswap Lake General Hospital on August 26, 2013 after 90 wonderful years of life.
Phyllis was born January 16, 1923 in Brighton, England, to John Lawrenson and Emily Lawrenson (Cooper). She was predeceased by her husband Leonard Stewart Worgan in 1990, as well as her son John Leonard Worgan in 2010. She is also predeceased by her brother Edward Sheridan and sisters Alice Compton (Short) and Stella Basset (Short) all in England.
Phyllis is survived by brothers John and Richard (Dick) Lawrenson, both of whom reside in England, by her son Michael Stewart Worgan and daughter Patricia Anne Schmidt (Worgan) and son-in-law Dan Schmidt. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Joelle Worgan, Christopher Worgan, Amanda Schmidt, Mark Schmidt and Valerie Schmidt. Phyllis was recently overjoyed at the birth of a great grand-daughter, July Rayne this past May, 2013. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, all of whom she enjoyed and loved.
Phyllis grew up in Brighton, England and eventually served in the Women’s Land Army during World War II, during which she met and married Leonard in September, 1945. In 1946, she joined many other war brides in her emigration on the Queen Mary, arriving in the Shuswap to be with her husband Leonard and to meet her new in-laws, Lionel and NorahValair (Worgan) and Donald and Mary Worgan (Thompson).
Together with Len, Phyllis moved many times throughout B.C. and always managed to turn a house into a home, adapting to her new life as a Canadian as well as maintaining a strong attachment to her English heritage. She played a very active role in her Catholic faith and in her latter years, was the “hub of the wheel” for her extended family, both here in Canada and in England. She was known for her dedication to sending Birthday and Christmas cards to friends and family alike, and for her ready laugh and quick humour.
The family would like to thank the staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital and Pioneer Lodge for the care that Phyllis received during her short time there.
A celebration of Phyllis’s life will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of St Joseph in Salmon Arm on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at the Gardens of Gethsemani, Surrey, BC on Friday, September 6, at 1 p.m.
Online condolences can be sent through Phyllis obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Service, Salmon Arm, BC