Phyllis Miller (6 Aug 1921 - 4 Jan 2017)

In loving memory of Phyllis Miller (nee Taylor) who sadly passed away on 4th January 2017 at the age of 95.

Phyllis was born in Heath and Reach (Bedfordshire) to William and Hilda Taylor, the eldest of 4 children with sisters Quita and Gillian and brother Rodney. After the village school, Phyllis attended Basset Rd school and then The Cedars school in Leighton Buzzard, where she won a scholarship. After William left the merchant navy, he and Hilda ran the village Post Office and telephone exchange in Heath and Reach, with the help of their children. Phyllis trained as a switchboard operator when she left school.

For most of her working life, Phyllis worked as a hotel receptionist, most notably at Ye Old Bell in Aylesbury and the Crown at Penn. She loved her job and the independence it gave her. She didn't marry Percy until she was 45 and he 59 (they were second cousins), and they had no children. They lived in Yorkshire for some years before moving down to Bournemouth to be with Percy's sister. They enjoyed going to antiques sales together, all over the country.

Phyllis has always been an avid reader and loved reading biographies, letters and diaries.

Percy passed away in 2004 after 37 years of marriage. Phyllis was very close to her cousin Roy who lived nearby, and he used to visit her regularly until he too passed away in 2015, soon after Phyllis's brother Rodney, and just before his 100th birthday.

Sadly, Phyllis developed Alzheimer's in recent years, and spent her last few months at Sunrise of Southbourne where she was extremely well cared for and very happy. Although expected, her passing was sudden.

Phyllis is survived by her sister Quita (who now lives in Tasmania near her daughter Claire), brother-in-law John (Gillian's husband), sister-in-law Avril, and 12 nephews and nieces, 28 great-nephews and -nieces, and 12 great-great-nephews and -nieces (at the last count).