Phyllis Jane Thompson

Phyllis J. Thompson, 76, passed away in Whittier on April 4, 2016. Born in Winamac, Indiana on August 30, 1939, Phyllis was born to her parents, Arthur & Dorothy Reutebuch. She was married to her husband, Don Louis Thompson, on December 28, 1963 and together they had five children. She will be greatly missed by her family and all those who knew her.



At age five, Phyllis family moved to Whittier, which she was happy about. She attended Whittier and East Whittier schools, graduating from California High School in 1957. She went on to attend Mount San Antonio College before transferring to Immaculate Heart College. She earned a Bachelors degree in Education and History and began teaching before marrying Don. After being married she had five children within six years, and also earned her M.ED at Whittier College. When it came time that the children were ready for school and she could return to work, there were no teaching positions in Whittier. So, she temporarily became a real estate agent gaining much success in her new vocation, and ended up retiring from the real estate profession after 25 years.



Phyllis was active in various PTAs as her children went through school. She also taught Sunday school for eighteen years. She was a long time member of the Whittier Friends of the Library, as well as the American Association of University Women, and of course a member of the St. Brunos Parish Council. Her other activities included the Rio Hondo Symphony Association and the Whittier Sister City Commission, and also being St. Brunos chairperson for Respect Life.

Her special interests included travelling, reading, walking, and teaching. However, in Phyllis own words, her greatest joy in life was her family, particularly her nine grandchildren.



Phyllis is survived by her husband, Don; children, Bonnie Thompson Long, Victoria Fuller, Donna Thompson Walsh, Dorothy Thompson Hernandez, and Matthew Thompson; and grandchildren, Emmet Long, Aidan Long, Katie Long, Charlotte Fuller, Abigail Fuller, Grace Fuller, Ronan Walsh, Anya Walsh and Gabriel Hernandez.



A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at St. Brunos Catholic Church, Whittier at 10:30AM. A Vigil Service will be held on Tuesday evening, April 5, 2016 at White Emerson Mortuary, Whittier.