Phyllis Eaton

Phyllis Eaton passed from this world on Nov. 6, just a few days following the celebration of her 90th birthday. Her family and loved ones were gathered around her as she passed away.

Phyllis was born in Dayton, Wash., an only child, to Frank and Maudie (Hinton) Danielson. She was raised on a wheat farm in nearby Waitsburg and went to Waitsburg High School. She was on the inaugural court of what was to become an annual event continuing today, the Waitsburg Days of Real Sport. While at Waitsburg High School she played women's basketball in a time when the offense played at one end of the court and the defense played on the opposite end.

Phyllis was accepted to Washington State College (University now) where she pledged the women's Chi Omega Sorority house. She left after a year at the start of WW II and began her work career, which eventually took her to Portland, Oregon. It was there she met her future husband Robert Lester (Bob) Eaton. They were married on Oct. 10, 1942 in the Little Church of the Flowers at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif. At that time, Bob was in the Navy and stationed in San Diego while she lived with Bob's Aunt Ruth in Manhattan Beach. After Bob shipped out, she returned briefly to Portland and then moved to Walla Walla, where she worked at the Air Force base until Bob's return. She and Bob raised three children - Robert Junior, Leonard and Kathleen - while living in Forest Grove, Parkrose, Portland and Estacada. Phyllis worked outside the home while continuing to be a very involved mother. She dedicated many an hour sitting in the grandstands watching Bob and Len play basketball and was at every singing performance Kathy had. Her primary job was with the federal agencies in Portland. She worked as a secretary for both the Fish and Wildlife Division of the Bureau of Land Management and with the Wild Horse and Burro Department, as well. Phyllis had been an animal lover from her early wheat ranch days, where she had her own horse and helped raise chickens and turkeys, and continued to raise Arabian horses at their Estacada farm. She and Kathy went to many judged horse shows around Oregon to ride both Western and English to show off her horses. They had elaborate Arabian costumes which were used at riding events and parades. They also adopted several burros which Phyllis cared for.

In later years, she and Bob traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti. They also took many trips around the United States to visit relatives and Bob's US Navy shipmates. Each of these trips was chronicled with many photos and memories. Phyllis' hobbies included gardening - the Estacada ranch had a greenhouse - raising animals, bowling, and travel. She delivered Meals on Wheels to the "elderly" until she was over 80 years of age. Mom spent many hours volunteering at the Estacada Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Center and was awarded the Estacada Senior Citizen of the Year award for 1998- 1999. Prior to her move to the Gladstone area, she was active in the Springwater Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her three children, six grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Her husband passed away in 1997. Phyllis was a quiet, yet solid, woman who loved to do crossword puzzles even to her death. While we take comfort in knowing Mom has started the next journey of her life, we will miss her presence in our own.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the Estacada Community Center, PO Box 430, Estacada, OR 97023 or the Oregon Humane Society, PO Box 11364, Portland, OR 97211.

Please check this site often for more information on a memorial service, to view pictures and to sign her guestbook; www.batemancarrollsfuneral.com

Arrangements under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, Ore.