Phyllis Grace (Bryant) Massie

78 years

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away December 10th due to complications from a November 2016 stroke.

Phyllis was born April 19, 1939 to Philip Bryant and Minnie (Van Ditto) Bryant in Kellogg, Idaho.  Shortly after, the little family moved to Spokane where Phyllis spent her entire life.  She attended Vera and Alcott Grade Schools, Libby Jr. High, and Lewis & Clark High School.

Everyone who knew Phyllis knew the fun loving, creative and generous spirit that she was.  As a young girl she loved being a marching band majorette, performing in plays and singing in choirs.

As a young mother of six, her family was the center of her life.  She never turned anyone away, including helping to raise some of her own siblings.  She was an amazing cook.  Feeding 8+ people, breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for many years.  No one ever went hungry.

Probably among her greatest joys was celebrating EVERYTHING!  From holidays, birthdays, and graduations, to weddings and family reunions. Phyllis loved to decorate her home and put together feast after memorable feast.  Much of her childhood was spent with her Italian grandparents, so it is not surprising that Italian dishes were her specialty.

As her children grew, her life became filled with their school activities.  She was one of the original “Taxi-Moms”, volunteering at school and church, coaching girl’s basketball, supervising cheerleaders and so much more.

Somehow she had enough energy to have some of her own hobbies and activities.  She loved league bowling, and playing on the Office Tavern volleyball and shuffleboard teams in the late 1960’s.  Of course watching her husband Vern Massie drag racing was her all time thrill! 

As grandchildren began to fill her life, you could always find one or several of them enjoying something tasty at her table, sacking-out in sleeping-bags at her feet, running through the sprinkler, listening to Phyllis singing as she played the organ (especially Elvis songs), or just hanging with Nana and Papa.

Her home was an easy place to visit - always laidback and welcoming. With a cookie jar that was never empty.  You could drop in anytime and be received with open arms.  However, if you showed up when the Zags were playing basketball, you’d better be there to watch the game!

Phyllis was the office manager and support staff for the local SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) office headquarters for several years.  It was her way to help heal the tragic loss of her first grandson.  She worked with deep compassion to bring resources to grieving families, because she truly understood their pain.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Tina Anton Kubas, grandson Davey Kubas, half-sister Barbara Bryant Colegrove, half-brother Philip Bryant and her beloved husband Vern Massie. 

She is survived by her remaining 2 daughters – Gina Anton Putnam (Bryan), Dina Anton Miller (Scott), her 3 sons – Jake Anton, Ron Massie (Alycia), Jeff Massie (Lillian), her half-brother Tony D’Aprile and half-sisters Vicki D’Aprile Soderberg (Terry) and Colleen Bryant Knutson (Steve).  She also leaves her legacy of 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family is deeply grateful to the remarkable staff at Riverview Care Center for Phyllis’s compassionate care and their tireless support of family members throughout the last year of Phyllis’s life.

Phyllis’s greatest gift was her generous and giving heart.  Memorial donations to any charity would honor her greatly, especially to (NISSA) - Northwest Infant Survival & SIDS Alliance (www.nwsids.org).

A viewing will be held on Monday – Dec. 18th at Hennessey Funeral Home (2203 N. Division St.) from noon to 5:00pm.  A funeral service will be held the following day,

Tuesday – Dec. 19th at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (515 W. St. Thomas More Way) from 1:00-1:30pm followed immediately by a reception in the church hall.

 Service Information