STONE: Phyllis Rose, age 71, of Brandon after a brief illness with cancer slipped away on Tuesday, September 26, 2000 at the Assiniboine Center in Brandon. Born on a farm north of Austin, Manitoba, on November 1, 1928, Phyllis was the daughter of Amos and Alice (Fellowes) Lane. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, a brother Douglas and her husband Rusty (Edward) Stone. Left to remember her love and kind, generous ways are her three sons: Patrick (Kathy) of Minnedosa, Larry (Maxine) and Alan (Marilyn) of Brandon; her grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Dustin, Whitney, and Shane; her brothers, Tom and Art and her sisters, Muriel and Edna. Phyllis had intended to have a career as a nurse; however, a six week course at Tuxedo Normal School in the summer of 1964 resulted in a different path and as she later wrote in her memoirs - " I had met my Destiny!" Phyllis started her teaching career in 1946 at the age of 17 at Firdale and then after more teacher's training taught at Douglas from 1948 - 1950. She met a young man on a bus one day on her way back to Douglas in March of 1949 who was to be her companion until his untimely death in 1986. Phyllis taught in Brandon as a kindergarten - primary grade teacher from 1958 until she retired in 1982 - a career which spanned 28 years. Phyllis loved to work with the young people in her charge and had truly found her calling. Phyllis also had a passion for the outdoors which she passed on to her sons, teaching them how to see the beauty that was there. Her ability to see and appreciate nature for what it was can best be summed up in part from a poem that she wrote for her mother: "We often trod the dusty road, in search of violets blue; We always knew the sheltered spots in which these flowers grew." Phyllis was an avid birder and received great joy from sighting bald eagles riding the air currents, to small warblers rustling in the underbrush, to her favorite Pintail ducks returning each spring. She enjoyed life and helped us fill it with much laughter, much strength, much kindness and much love. In her poem she wrote; "Years pass by and changes come, But one small flower still brings; A memory of more carefree days, The first sweet flower of spring." To us, Mom, you are that one small, sweet flower and no matter how the years pass by and changes come you will always be the memory of what is good and kind in this world. You wrote that loving parents are there when they are needed as yours were for you and you and Dad were for all of us. Your love is your legacy, we, your sons have lived it, we, your sons will pass this on to your grandchildren - from all your family with all our hearts we thank you for this special gift. On mother's request a private family Funeral Service was held at the Memories Chapel in Brandon on Friday, September 29, 2000 with Rev. Joy Ruddock officiating. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the Westman Hospice Cancer Watch of Brandon (WATCH).