October 9, 1922 – August 26, 2022
GRAYSTONE, Phyllis
Passed away peacefully at Wood’s Park Care Center in Barrie on Friday August 26th 2022. Phyllis Graystone in her 100th year. Beloved wife of the late Charles (Chuck) Graystone and step-mother to eleven children. Eleanor, Tom, Robert (Bing), Joan, Carol, John, Jim, Lawrence, Judy, Douglas and Tony. She was blessed with many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Phyllis was born in Ottawa, one of nine children, to Patrick and Rose Sprayson. She is predeceased by her parents, seven of her siblings and leaves behind her brother Ken Sprayson.
Her family moved to Toronto and lived near the Lakeshore where Phyllis took full advantage of her love of swimming at Sunnyside and dancing at the Palace Pier. She loved music and was very proud of her ties (family and cultural) to England. Her Grandparents met at Buckingham Palace where he was a Coldstream Guard and her Grandmother was a Cook.
She left school at age 16 to help with the WWII war effort, making and inspecting firearms (Bren Guns) at John Inglis factory in Toronto. Following the war she worked as an operator for Bell telephone.
The Graystone family moved to Tottenham in the early 1950’s and she lived there for many years. Phyllis’ last home in the community was In the Alliston Garden Apartments where she busied herself helping others. She made many wonderful friends through the years and was always there to lend a hand.
She was a beautiful and fascinating lady, stylish and classy, who always had a cup of tea and a story to go with it. Phyllis was very creative and never shied away from a challenge. Her homes were picture perfect and she was also an incredible cook and seamstress.
Phyllis was always smiling and even through horrific emotional and physical pain always found the bright side. She was given two months to live back in the 1980’s and beat cancer. Her positive outlook combined with her healthy lifestyle saw her through to age 99.
Wood’s Park Care Centre in Barrie was her home for the last four years. I can’t say enough good things about the amazing care given to her by all of the PSW’s and Nurses. They loved her like she was their own and did everything in their power to keep her healthy and happy. What a wonderful place!
Phyllis our Mom, Gram and Great Gram was dearly loved and will be sadly missed. Age is just a number and even though she was ninety-nine we still wish we could have had her longer.
Following Phyllis’ wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal services will be held. For those who wish, donations in Phyllis’ memory may be made to Matthews House Hospice, Alliston. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family a www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.
Bob and Evy Vienneau says
Our condolences to the Graystone family. If you grew up in the 60’s and 70’s in Tottenham you know what a gem Phyllis was.
Brian & Debbie Sprayson says
Our condolences to the Graystone family on the loss of such a wonderful person, I’ll fondly remember our telephone conversations, rest in peace aunt Phyllis
Ruth Dermott says
Our condolences to all the GRAYSTONE families.
Phyllis was a class act, stylish gal and wonderful person. May god take good care of her. Rest In Peace Phyllis.
Ruth & Bill
Tjarda Reavy says
I met her through Judy. We drove to Alliston often and bought her lunch. She would have set a beautiful table and chatted with stories of our lives. We shared a lot and laughed a lot. She was so funny and a good listener. I have good memories of her. She made an impression in my life I won’t forget.
I’m happy that she is now with Jesus.
Randall Reavy says
Phyllis was a beautiful lady. I thoroughly enjoyed the few times I was able to spend with her. We had the most wonderful chats. She always glowed.
May she Rest In Peace and may God bless her
C Graystone says
Grandma Phyll was indeed a classy woman; she was one of my first female role models. She taught us to take pride in our appearance but she was not vain. A lady always wants to look her best and she always did, setting an example we could look up to. She encouraged us to have good posture, was always smiling, and glamorous; and her ‘glam’ was rare in little old Tottenham back then! As children she inspired us to keep our rooms clean by doing ‘white glove’ inspections when she and Grandpa Chuck came to visit. I’ll never forget the the haltertops she made us!
Her entire life was full of challenges and she handled well what came her way. If she was overwhelmed, she never let it show. Her stoic approach to life is an example not being set commonly anymore and her life force and dedication to her husband was exemplaray. I am thankful to have known her and will always love and remember her fondly. From the family, thanks go especially to Aunt Carol and Uncle John Graystone who took good care of her and kept Grandma Phyll in thier home in the later stages of her long life.
C Graystone
daughter of Lawrence
Laura D'Andrea-Lovatt says
Doug and I send our deepest condolences to Phyllis’s family and friends. We are thinking of you at this difficult time. May she rest in eternal peace ❤️
Laura & Doug Lovatt
Gary Hill says
What a wonderful woman very nice and friendly always made you laugh I was blessed to have known her my thoughts and prayers go out to the family ❤️❤️
Deb McLaren says
My thoughts go out to the entire Graystone family. Phyllis was such a classy lady. So sorry for your loss.
John Boyce says
Our condolences to the entire Graystone family for your loss! Mrs. Graystone, as I knew her, was exactly as she is charcterized in her obituary! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. John & Betty Boyce
Mary King says
Our deepest condolences to the Graystone family. We are all thinking of you at this difficult time.
The King family