Phyllis Jean (2 Mar 1936 - 4 Apr 2020)

In loving memory of Phyllis who sadly passed away on 4th April 2020 aged 84.

Our lovely mother was born on 2nd March 1936 in Barking. She spent most of her young childhood in London during the war years. When it became too dangerous and after losing two houses to bombs, she moved to Surrey until the war was over returning to live in Plaistow. Mum passed the 11+ and went to the local grammar school and then passed the 13+ and moved to West Ham Technical College. She loved dancing and cycling, and spent most of her late teens doing these two things.

In 1963 she moved to Vicarage Road, Chelmsford with her husband Bert Brown and her two children Pete and Lynne. While bringing up her children she filled her spare time with voluntary work. She worked tirelessly for the WRVS, WI and the 15th Chelmsford Scout group. Mum was very sociable and loved the lively social side that these groups gave making lots of friends over the years. Even at 82 years old she was still volunteering for the scouts. Mum was awarded the Queens Medal for Long Service for the WRVS, and the Chief Scout Award for her contribution to scouting.

At 40 years old she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis so lived with this disease for over half of her life. It was very debilitating and painful. At 43 she was widowed and had to find work, and also had to learn to drive. The latter years of her life were taken up with looking after her elderly mother, spending time with her children and grandchildren and her voluntary work.

What a kind and gentle person mum was. She was always bright and cheerful, and laughed easily and loudly. She never judged anyone and always gave people her time. She was selfless and a giver, not a taker. Mum was a wonderful human being, and will be missed so much.

Mum passed away in her lovely home which is all she ever wanted. She was eternally grateful to Dad for buying their house which had kept her warm and safe for so long. She loved her house dearly and lived there for 57 years. She leaves two children, seven grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. We are having a private funeral on 5th May and will be driving down Vicarage Road passing the Church Hall where she attended so many scout events. We hope to have a memorial in the future so that her family and all of her friends can have the opportunity to pay their respects and say goodbye.

Family flowers only but donations if you wish to NRAS (National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society) - link above right.