November 29, 2023
In Loving Memory (1921-2023) ~
Phyllis Lorraine Preston passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023, at Mountain Lakes Senior’s Home in Nelson, British Columbia, 28 days from her 102nd birthday.
She was predeceased by her husband George Preston, her son Howie Preston, grandson Derek Sherbo, parents Nora & Pete Metson, sisters and brother-in-law Marlene Blank, Rusty and Bob Erlam, as well as nephew Chris Erlam.
Phyllis is survived by her son Kent (Janet) Preston, daughter Jeannine Sherbo, grandchildren Jim (Jacki) Preston, Jennifer (Matthew) Haas, Christina (Chris) Ward, brother-in-law Martin Blank and all her great grandchildren- Lillianna, Sawyer, London, Everlee, Emerson, Kaelyn, Tyler and Aiden.
Phyllis is lovingly remembered by her nephews and nieces Paul (Maryanne) Erlam, James Erlam, Paula (Jack) Rabbior, Jodie Blank (Trevor ), Eric (Sonya ) Blank, and their children.
Phyllis married George, a Sergeant in the Artillery in WW2, in 1922 in Winnipeg Manitoba. They had 3 children, Howie, Kent and Jeannine.
Phyllis and her family moved to Nelson in 1957, where her Aunt Helen and Andy Sinclair were the first to settle in 1944. Phyllis’s parents Nora and Pete moved to Nelson in 1955, with her sisters and families soon to follow.
All Phyllis’s immediate family resided on Josephine Street, while Bob and Rusty settled on Upper Long Beach Rd, following their time in Whitehorse.
Phyllis worked at Woolworths/Woolco for 25 years retiring in 1986. She was an avid knitter and reader. Very often you would find her sitting in her favorite chair reading a romance novel or knitting intricate baby sweaters for the Hospital Auxiliary to sell as a fund raiser.
Phyllis worked as a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society and at the Kootenay lake District Hospital Auxiliary Gift shop for over 30 years, with 10 of those years as treasurer. Up until her death, Phyllis was also a devoted member of the United Church of Nelson, singing in the choir for over 50 years.
Family was very important to Phyllis. She was very proud, especially of her grandchildren. She enjoyed the time when they, often with friends in tow, would walk up to her house for lunch. She was famous for putting on a tin of Aylmer soup, peanut butter buns and always had a cupboard full of cheezies and chips! Her grandchildren and their friends remember her fondly as a person with great patience, integrity, and a kind ear, always greeting them with a big smile when they came to “bug” her.
Phyllis also managed a few memorable trips, one with George to the West Coast fishing prior to his death in 1969, and with a friend to the South Pacific, Jamaica, even experienced riding a camel. She got her driver’s license in 1957 after moving to Nelson and drove right up to 95 years of age. In the last few years, her daughter Jeannine came back to Nelson to live with her mom, making it possible for Phyllis to continue to reside in her own home until 6 days before her death.
Phyllis was known as the “rock” of the family. Her and George loved to dance and spent many a weekend dancing at the legion. She loved to dress up always in matching outfits. Phyllis was known for her kindness, non-judgmental disposition and was a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend.
Sundays were often spent at family dinners with her roast, Yorkshire pudding, her wonderful apple pies and Uncle Bob telling stories at her kitchen table. She was known for her baking especially in the early days in Winnipeg with her famous cinnamon buns.
Phyllis enjoyed weekends on the sailboat with Kent’s family, lunch at Leo’s, Donair’s at the Hutt’s restaurant, ice cream at the DQ and cruising around with her famous Skippy in the back.
Celebration of her life will take place in the springtime, to allow for her family to travel from far and wide.
To leave a personal message of condolence please see Thompson Funeral Service website: https://www.thompsonfs.ca

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