Phyllis Stearns

1925 - 2015

Phyllis Stearns (nee Capling), passed away peacefully in Bow Island on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at the age of 89 years.

The Funeral Service was held at St. Andrew's United Church, 139 - 2 Avenue West, Bow Island on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. Burial followed at the Bow Island Cemetery.

Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory ten children David (Joanne) Stearns of Prince George, British Columbia, John (Catherine) Stearns of Sparwood, British Columbia, Jim Stearns (Betty Gower) of Medicine Hat, Mark (Mona) Stearns of Villanova, Pennsylvania, Lorraine (Dale) Bowman of Fernie, British Columbia, Pat (Sheila) Stearns of Seven Persons, Merry (Jack) Calder of Bow Island, Michael Stearns of Brooks, Norma (Rick) Bonar of Hinton, Tim Stearns (Diane Sansalone) of Calgary, twenty seven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband John Norman Stearns (October 2, 2009); parents Herbert and Ethel Capling.

Phyllis was born in Hanna on September 30, 1925 to Hebert and Ethel Capling. At the age of five, she nearly lost her life after being trampled by a draft horse. We are eternally grateful to the country doctor, her uncle John, who with great love and care pieced her back together. Phyllis went on to have a healthy childhood and at the age of nineteen, after only a few short months of training, began teaching at a one-room school house in Duchess. At the age of forty three, while still raising ten children, Phyllis went back to school at the University of Lethbridge for a year, to upgrade her teaching certificate. She continued on with her education and over several years, while still teaching full time in Magrath, she took night and summer courses to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Education. Phyllis moved to Bow Island in 1974 and continued teaching various grades, but her love was teaching special needs children. She retired after teaching for twenty one years and moved with her husband to an acreage near Duchess. From there they moved to Bassano. Phyllis lived the last six years at the Pleasant View Lodge in Bow Island where she was close to her son and daughter.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Phyllis’ name may be made directly to the Project Hope, Attention Stearns Family, 1419 S Enterprise, Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A. 65804.