Phyllis Mae Stanford

1933-2021

Phyllis Stanford

Phyllis Stanford passed away peacefully in her home February 12, 2021. The second of four children, Phyllis was born on December 21, 1933 in Royal Oak, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Doris (Mowrey) Bonham.

After working for several years as a purchasing agent for the Royal Oak School District, Phyllis married Edward Stanford on October 13, 1962 in Royal Oak. Ed’s job with Boeing brought the couple to Seattle after their honeymoon. Phyllis briefly worked in an administrative position at Boeing in Seattle before the birth of her first child, Susan, in 1963. The family’s second child, son Michael, followed in 1967. After living in the Green Lake area as a young family, the Stanfords moved to their Lake City home of nearly 50 years.

Phyllis

Phyllis was an active and involved mom and, and later in life, a similarly generous grandma. If her kids—or their friends—needed any kind of support, she was there, attending countless soccer and basketball games, volunteering in school libraries, on PTAs, and during after-school activities, or just providing a warm, welcoming home where her children and their friends could spend time. Several of her children’s friends considered her a “second mom.” In the community, Phyllis volunteered at area senior centers, helped raise money in the neighborhood for the March of Dimes, American Heart Association, and other organizations, and enthusiastically supported any activity that involved her grandkids.

Mom lived a selfless life, put others ahead of herself even through her final days, and was friendly with anyone she met. It was next to impossible to leave a grocery store or restaurant quickly with her—whether she actually knew anyone there or not, she would attract conversation from people around her, and would always return it in full, genuinely.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 58 years, Edward; daughter Sue Rauda (Sig); son Mike Stanford (Kelly); grandchildren Evan and Nate Rauda and Molly and Owen Stanford; and brother Richard Bonham (Fran) of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Marilyn Hendricks and Shirley Lewis.

The family thanks the generous care of Providence Hospice of Seattle and Phyllis’ caregiving team from Family Resource Home Care. At her request, no services are planned.