Phyllis Jeanette Baldwin-Dyck

Phyllis Baldwin passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the age of 86 years. She will be dearly missed by her husband Abraham "Abe" Dyck; their nine children Cindy Cleveland (Clair Cleveland), Laurie Baldwin (Kenneth DeWilde), Raymond Baldwin, Bob Baldwin, Wayne Baldwin, Wade Baldwin, Kelly Dyck (Ben Daigneault), Trish Thomas (Neil Thomas) and Tracy Blanchard; 19 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents Edna and Arthur Wilton; two sisters Joyce and Sandra; and one grandson. 

  Phyllis was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan where she lived with her mother Edna and two sisters, Joyce and Sandra while her father Arthur Borden Wilton was away fighting in the 2nd World War. The family home was a one room shack with a lean-to that had no running water. Her mother heated water on a coal & wood stove to bathe her children.

 Phyllis had fond memories of her childhood, riding the train 20 miles to visit Grandma Kate Wilton or travelling to the farm in South Fork to visit the Harrons in particular Uncle Gerald and Auntie Margaret McLaren.

 When Phyllis was 5 years old Edna and the girls left a large extended family behind and took the long train ride to Calgary to await the return of their war hero. They lived in a house which backed on to the Bow River and had been the old Eau-Claire lumber office. She attended McDougal Elementary School and enjoyed many hours crossing the river and playing on Prince’s Island before it became the park that we know today. She sang in the choir at Knox United Church and was a member of the Canadian girls In training, Brownies and Guides. 

 In 1952 the family moved to Montgomery at a time when there were no utilities, paved roads or bus service. Water for the home came from a well up the hill and was stored in a barrel by the sink to be heated on the stove. 

 Phyllis found a whole new set of friends during her teen years and spent a year living in the Edmonton YWCA taking a secretarial course. After a holiday spent with her mother and sister Sandra in Vancouver she returned to Calgary to marry Len Baldwin on May 18,1957.

 During the first four years of marriage to Len Baldwin they welcomed two daughters, Cindy & Laurie and two sons, Ray & Bob. Seven years later the twins Wade & Wayne arrived to complete the family. 

 After 16 years of marriage, Phyllis left her “practice husband” and met her soul-mate Abe Dyck. Their union became a blended family of Nine children with the addition of Abe’s three daughters Kelly, Trish and Tracy. After 50 years together Abe and Phyllis marked the occasion with a wedding ceremony and officially became man and wife on September 18, 2022.

 Abe and Phyllis were active parents in the community, becoming members of the board and supporting their children’s sporting endeavours such as hockey and baseball. Phyllis was editor for the newsletters while also supporting herself in many direct sales companies such as Avon, Nutrimetics etc. 

 She had a varied career using her secretarial skills in legal offices and schools. Her bookkeeping was honed at CP Rail, Strategic Accounting and Merle Norman. Phyllis’ pride and joy was the Ceramic Circle Arts & Crafts studio as owner/operator on Meridian Rd. N.E., Calgary. It was later relocated to a barn near Rocky Ford Alberta where she continued to pursue her passion while always upgrading her skills through classes and workshops. 

 Phyllis enjoyed all forms of art including photography. She particularly enjoyed teaching others her skills. She was an avid reader and her love of learning and entrepreneurial spirit was passed on to those she mentored including her children. 

 Once Retired Phyllis became an active member of the Red Hat Society and the Crown Jewels of Canada. Abe was extremely proud of the costumes she created for the social events sponsored by those organizations. 

 She also joined Abe in becoming a collector of china, tea cups, dolls, porcelain figurines, jewelry and of course Red Hats. Together Abe and Phyllis enjoyed annual floral creations in their front and back gardens which continue to morph into light displays for the Christmas season complimented by her collection of Nativities. 

 Phyllis had experienced health problems that had taken their tole as the years have passed. In spite of those challenges Abe and Phyllis were able to travel to many locations but their trip to China was a “bucket list” accomplishment for both of them. Phyllis was quick to acknowledge help from her son Wade in facilitating holidays for them. She appreciated very much the help recently from her daughter Laurie which made it possible for her to stay in her home in spite of poor health. Now that Mom is gone Abe has expressed how much he appreciates that Wayne will continue to be a companion and a huge support around the home. 

 As always Kelly, Trish and Tracy are happy to travel from their homes outside Calgary and were a godsend during a recent health crisis. They have set a good example of prioritizing family which their children emulate. 

 Mom expressed recently that she was most grateful to her life partner Abe who has been with her throughout and supported her in multiple ways including taking over many of the responsibilities in their life she could no longer manage. Together they raised nine children and have enjoyed being grandparents to nineteen grandchildren. The list of great-grandchildren continues to rise however at present stands at 21. 

 A Celebration of Life will be held for Phyllis at Pierson's Funeral Service (4121 - 17 Avenue SE, Calgary) on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 1:30 pm. The Celebration of Life will be broadcast live at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85027449700   Cremation at Foothills Crematorium.