Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....(Stettler) Poore, Phyllis Alaura July 7 2004 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K Taylor bluewolf@onemain.com July 19, 2004, 3:20 am The Bakersfield Californian Phyllis Alaura Poore November 10, 1930 July 7, 2004 Phyllis Poore passed away on July 7, 2004, at Rosewood Health Center. A strong- willed woman who dealt head-on with several health issues in her later years, she was 73. Born in San Bernardino, California, Phyllis was the first daughter of Karl D. and Marion A. Stettler. She earned her high school diploma in 1948 at San Bernardino Senior High School, where she excelled in English and Theater. Later that year Phyllis eloped with the handsome young man from across the street, Jack Poore, and they were married in Yuma, Arizona in November 1948. They lived for a while in Kansas City, Missouri, where their first daughter, Alaura (Laurie), was born. In 1950 the family settled for good in Bakersfield, where later their second daughter, Hallie, was born. Their marriage ended in divorce after 28 years, but Phyllis and Jack continued their own form of friendship afterward. While raising a family and working in the late 1950s, Phyllis started her post- secondary education at Bakersfield College. She earned her AA degree in 1959, then transferred to the Bakersfield Center of Fresno State College, receiving her BA magna cum laude in June 1966. Phyllis began her career in education as a first grade teacher at Panama Elementary School in the fall of 1961. During the next 20 years, she taught every grade level from first through eighth, working at Panama and Amy B. Seibert Elementary Schools and Fred L. Thompson Junior High School. Dedicated to the teaching profession, Phyllis was extremely active in the Panama Teachers Association and the Sierra Service Center of CTA, where she was a State Council representative to CTA for 11 years. During her teaching years and afterward, Phyllis assembled an eclectic collection of owls in framed prints, ceramics, mugs, etc. She cherished the many special owls that were given to her by friends and students, so it seemed particularly appropriate when she received the CTA Sierra Service Center WHO (We Honor Ours) award in 1985. In 1991 the Sierra Service Center honored her again with a special WHO award For Service Beyond. Phyllis left the classroom in 1981 to work as a Classroom and Projects Specialist in the District Office, ultimately serving the Panama-BVUSD School District for nearly 35 years. By retiring pro forma from the district in 1991, but continuing on as a consultant until 1996, she successfully avoided the embarrassment of a retirement dinner in her honor. As her health began to decline, Phyllis moved to Rosewood Retirement Community in 1998. With great determination she maintained her independence as long as possible. Her daughters wish to express their gratitude to all the friends who sustained her by delivering her favorite muffins, taking her to doctors appointments, and running errands. Phyllis is remembered by many as a true friend, staunch supporter, and mentor. She was bright, articulate, and by her own admission mother to the world. She always spoke the truth without hesitation and provided encouragement along with well-thought-out recommendations. Phyllis was a master organizer who firmly believed that truth, beauty and goodness shall prevail, and she often ended a conversation with her trademark expression, Keep a good thought! She loved writing poetry and the occasional short story, and she willingly offered her editorial expertise to others. Though her body failed her, she remained sharp-witted and alert until her final hours. She is survived by her sister, Dona Stettler of Bakersfield; daughter and son- in-law, Laurie and James Silas, also of Bakersfield; daughter, Hallie Goodall of Santa Barbara; and numerous friends, co-workers, and former students. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, at the Fox Theater. One of her last great causes was the restoration of the Fox Theater. Built the same year Phyllis was born, the Fox reminded her of her teen years when she worked part-time as an usher at the San Bernardino Fox. She was a founding member of the Fox Theater Foundation Board and helped raise funds and organize volunteers. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Fox Theater Foundation, 2001 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/gob808stettler.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb