CHRISTIAN, Phyllis Odessa (Walrond) - It is with great sadness that the family of Phyllis announce her peaceful passing, in her home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Summer Solstice, Saturday, June 20, 2020. She was 83 years old.
She is survived by her sister Olga Jones, children Michael J. Christian, Michelle L. Christian and Melanie A. Christian, grandchildren Jahvon Christian and Khannun M. Christian.
Born February 3, 1937 to Everton Walrond and Gladys Walrond nee. Ellcock, formerly of Christchurch, Barbados, in Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Phyllis Christian was the second youngest of five children, Gordon Walrond, Ottis Walrond, Olga Jones nee. Walrond, and Gladys Walrond.
Mrs. Christian moved to Toronto after completing her schooling in Nova Scotia. In Toronto, she worked at Bell Canada and quickly moved up from telephone operator to management. When Phyllis was 24, she married, and after praying diligently for 7 years, finally had three children.
Not long after the birth of her second child, a daughter, Phyllis chose to dedicate her life to being a full-time, stay-at-home mother. By the time her third child was in school, another girl, she was volunteering at her daughter's school, McMurrich Elementary School. Phyllis always had a great love of children, and the McMurrich school children adored having her assist the school librarian, patiently read them stories, and accompany them on school outings.
Mrs. Christian was well-known throughout the Toronto midtown neighbourhoods of Humewood-Cedarvale and Bracondale Hill/Hillcrest, as a happy, gregarious, devoted Christian, lovingly protective mother of three, and grandmother of three boys. Phyllis and her children regularly attended the Bracondale Gospel Hall at its old site on Tyrrel Avenue near Arlington Avenue for over two decades. Aside from spending the gospel and raising her children, Phyllis' great loves and joys in life were dogs, baking, knitting, the colour green, tending to her vegetable garden, and most of all, singing gospel hymns and "making a joyful noise unto the Lord".
We lovingly remember our vibrant sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, neighbour and friend. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another..." (1 John 1:7 KJV), please join the family in celebrating the life of Phyllis O. Christian at Beechwood Cemetery, 7241 Jane Street, City of Vaughan, just off of Hwy. 407 on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 1:00 pm. For those unable to attend the service in person, please see below for a shareable Zoom link.
Flowers in memory of Phyllis Christian may be sent to Bernardo Funeral Home 2960 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6B 3S9.
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