Phyllis Irene Sorensen

Held in the love of her family, Phyllis died peacefully following a stroke at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina on April 20, 2012.  Predeceased by her husband Leonard and grandson Kris, Phyllis is survived by her beloved seven children and their partners Warren (Greg), Karen (Alan), Linda Kay, Sandra, Tom (Dawn), Norma, and Sue (Michael). Phyllis will be a loving touchstone always to her 17 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren, and a beloved Aunt to many.  Phyllis was born in Duval on July 5, 1916 to Grace and Tom Henderson, homesteaders in the Last Mountain District, the eldest of three daughters. The strength of character, kindness, and compassion that Phyllis carried throughout her life were inherited from a long line of fine women and loving men.  Phyllis attended Regina College and became a teacher in rural prairie schools until she married Leonard in 1940. Dedicated to parenting, Phyllis was an outstanding mother - providing guidance to her 7 children to do their best and was the first to applaud each and every achievement.  With her family at her centre, Phyllis pursued her own spiritual, intellectual, and cultural development. She was a woman of quiet, deep faith. She loved books and music. She enjoyed travelling and spending time with family and friends. She appreciated the services of the CBC, the Extension programmes of the University of Regina, and later in life - of the CNIB and Regina Public Library Outreach to keep her informed and engaged in community and world affairs.  Phyllis was a generous, accepting person. She was proud of and celebrated the diversity and variety of interests and talents of her family. Her lifelong friends were so loved and important to her.  Phyllis, like her mother Grace, was a strong, loving role model who will be loved and celebrated forever.  A service to honour Phyllis will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Wesley United Church, 3913 Hillsdale Street, Regina, SK.  Donations to honour Phyllis can be made to Mobile Crisis Services Inc., 1646 11th Avenue, Regina, SK., S4P 0H4.