Phyllis Greene

In the morning hours of Wednesday, 20 August 2014, Phyllis Coulam Greene was welcomed to her heavenly home by her husband of 70 years, Gordon William Greene, where they are together again, forever. The world lost a valiant woman and our family lost our loving matriarch, yet heaven gained a sweet and diligent angel capable of much good. Phyllis was born on 6 May 1924 in Salt Lake City, UT to Charles Henry Coulam and Georgia Billings as the fourth of five children. At the age of two she moved to San Francisco, CA. Though petite in stature and build, Phyllis grew from a fragile childhood to become a strong determined woman with an unwavering testimony of Christ. She cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She met Gordon at an LDS youth activity. They were married in California on 11 December 1942. They traveled by bus to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on 14 December 1942. She thereafter became a military wife when Gordon left for the war in Europe. They were sweethearts for over seventy years before his passing in February of 2013. Together they were parents of six sons and two daughters. They raised their family in Palo Alto, CA, Annandale, VA and Lakewood, CO. Upon retirement they moved to Orem, UT. Phyllis served well in the Church, including Primary President, RS teacher and President, YW Camp director, and cub scout den mother. She always sang in the choir in whichever ward she belonged. She and Gordon served in callings at The Seville and Summerfield Retirement Communities in Orem, UT. Together they served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Baguio, Philippines, 1989-1990. They were diligent genealogists/family historians. Phyllis' defining characteristics included provident living, constantly being busy, organization and forthrightness. She told it like it was and we loved her for it. She was a gifted seamstress. Her grandchildren remember receiving gifts of hand sewn doll clothing, which is still being used by her great-grandchildren today. She made us smile by whistling a song through her rolled tongue. Family was important to Phyllis and reunions, holiday dinners, birthday gatherings and barbecues in the park are all cherished memories. She used her talents to serve others and served faithfully all her life. She is survived by her sons Stephen (Sandie), Bruce (Felicia), Robert (Bonnie), David (Christine), Kenneth (Carolyn), James (Charity), and her daughters Elizabeth (John Coray, deceased) and Janet (Matt Wandschneider), 28 grandchildren and 39.5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Roy Clarence Markow, an infant brother Robert Daniel, sister Deborah Ann (Max Wheelwright, deceased), infant sister Elizabeth, sister Georgia May, son-in-law John Coray, an infant granddaughter and an infant great granddaughter. We want to thank the staff at Sunrise of Sandy for the expert care and loving attention they gave to both Gordon and Phyllis. A viewing will be held on Thursday, 28 August 2014 from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary in Orem, 495 S. State St. The funeral will be on Friday, 29 August 2014 at 10:00 A.M. (viewing before) at the Orem Park Stake Center, 190 West 300 South. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery. "Mom", "Grandma", "Great Grandma", we thank you for your integrity and love. We are certain you will continue to watch over us. We love you! We will miss you and think of you often! Till we meet again!!

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