June 26, 1927 – November 14, 2023
In loving memory ~
RYCKMAN, PHYLLIS JUNE nee CAMERON, born June 26, 1927, in Sunnybrook, Alberta and a long-time resident of Creston since 1937 passed away peacefully in the morning of Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in her home of 74 years, surrounded by her children. After a lengthy illness, she is now with her Lord whom she accepted in May 1978. Phyllis was born in the Meinke home in Alberta to Marshall and Nettie Cameron, their sixth and youngest child. Moving with her family, from Sunnybrook, Alberta at age 10, Phyllis lived in West Creston from 1937 until 1946. Phyllis attended Capbillion Elementary School in Alberta, with her future brother-in-law Walden Smith, being her first teacher. Then in 1937, she attended the West Creston School for grades 5 and 6. Following the completion of her education at Creston Valley High School (the present Adam Robertson Elementary) in 1944, Phyllis worked at Speers’ “Groceteria”, then at the hospital with Winnie Miracle and Helen Floer, followed by working in the Mercantile with her future bridesmaid, Vera Fleck. In her later years of marriage, once the children were grown, Phyllis enjoyed working part-time at the former Webster’s store.
In 1945 she began dating her Sweetheart Jack Ryckman. On December 23, 1946, they married and began their life together in Creston on 16th Ave., before building their first home at 530 11th Ave. S. They raised seven children (4 daughters; and 3 sons).
Now they have over 93 descendants. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Marshall (1961) and Nettie (1978), her husband Jack (1999), her son John (2012), and her granddaughters Karissa (2006) and Cheryl (2015). Phyllis was the last of her siblings, the end of an era.
Phyllis was an incredible woman, sharp as a tack right to the end of her life. She was a lady of beauty, strength and love, and strongly independent. She was one who endured much in her lifetime, saw many changes, and put her life in God’s Hands. Phyllis loved gardening and being in the great outdoors with her Sweetheart Jack. Their two acres were created into a park-like setting in which they worked together throughout their 52 years of married life. Phyllis was a woman of great knowledge of the Valley of Creston and loved sharing it with anyone who was interested.
Phyllis will be sadly and deeply missed by her children and their spouses: Cathy (Dennis) Pretty of Cranbrook, Valerie (Colin) Muir of Peachland, Doug (Vera) Ryckman of Creston, Gloria (Bob, deceased) Romano of Cranbrook, Cindy (Ray) Pukas of Canyon, and Art (Diane) Ryckman of West Creston as well as her 22 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren along with their spouses. She will be missed by her extended family and friends, as well.
The interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC. Pallbearers were 6 of Phyllis’ grandsons. Honourary pallbearers were: Dennis Pretty, Colin Muir, and Ray Pukas.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the G. F. Oliver Funeral Chapel Ltd. Creston, B.C.
A CELEBRATION OF PHYLLIS’ LIFE will be held at a later date. Obituary-