euskalkultura.eus

01/04/2015 - Boise, ID, USA

[obituary published by Bowmanfuneral.com]

(Feb. 26, 1928 - Jan. 4, 2015)

Phyllis Florence Echeverria left our world on Jan. 4, 2015, with her family gathered lovingly around her. She was born on Feb. 26, 1928 to John and Florence Whitsell in Emmett, Idaho, where she attended elementary through high school. She was a drum-majorette and a trumpet player in the Emmett High School band. She then studied business administration at the University of Idaho for three years prior to her marriage to Isaac Echeverria in 1950.

After their wedding and Ike’s graduation from the U of I, Phyllis and he moved to Jerome, Idaho, where they had their first four children, and then to Boise in 1955, where three more children were born.

While raising their seven offspring, and when the youngest was only two years old, Phyllis completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Idaho in 1963. Two years later, following Ike’s career, the family moved from Idaho to the suburbs of Chicago, then in 1970 to Los Angeles, and in 1972 to San Diego. Finally, in 1976, Phyllis and Ike were able to return to Boise to be near extended family and friends.
Although Phyllis’ life-long endeavors were those of being a loving mother, seamstress, cook, and teacher to her active brood, after the children were grown she was able to use her skills and education professionally as an agent for the Interstate Commerce Commission and, later, in the role of a real estate agent.

In recent years Phyllis battled dementia in the form of Pict’s Disease. Even through this struggle she never lost her sweet smile, her bubbly laughter, or her life-long love of music. During her last year, she still sang and “danced” with pure joy.

Phyllis’ family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all of her caregivers at Ashley Manor on Hill Road in Boise. The love, tenderness, and generosity given to Phyllis daily by the staff there are all very much appreciated. The family also wants to thank the wonderful women at Heart N Home Hospice Care for their kindness and support during the last few months.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Isaac. She is survived by her brother and his spouse, Darrel and Betty Whitsell, and her sisters, Norma Lawler and Karrel Whitsell. She is also survived by her sons and their spouses, John and Carolyn Echeverria, and Mark and Tammy Echeverria, her daughters and their spouses, Teresa and Rick Townsend, Debra and Kevin Geraghty, Christine and Douglas Bender, Felisa and Dwayne Wood, and Diana Echeverria, as well as nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be offered at St. John’s Cathedral in Boise on Monday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a gravesite service at the Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Phyllis’ name to the Euskaldunak Basque Charities or a charity of your choice.