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Phyllis Bell Hay
March 7, 1928 - October 11, 2021
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<div itemprop="description">Phyllis Bell Hay (née Johnson) roared into this world, on March 7, 1928, in Cowansville, QC during a snowstorm so severe her parents had to walk part way to the hospital. As she was never one for half measures, she quietly left this world in unseasonably summer-like weather.<br> <br>Phyllis was a force to be reckoned with. Never afraid to be herself, she marched to the beat of her own drum, usually while inspiring others to be their best and to ‘use that thing on the top of their shoulders’. She loved to laugh, joke, and tease. Her quick wit and lovely smile lit a room.<br> <br>Unwavering in her values, Phyllis was also thoughtful, curious, adventurous, smart, loyal to a fault, and as ethical a human being as you will ever have the good fortune to meet. Being on ‘Team Phyllis’ meant you had a friend for life, through thick and thin.<br> <br>Phyllis’s early life was full of serious medical challenges. But against all odds, she rallied hard and survived. Indeed, she managed to skip four years of elementary school because of illness, and advanced with almost no effort, such was her intellect. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts at McGill University (1950).<br> <br>Her social conscience and strong moral fibre were evidenced by her active involvement in volunteering for UNICEF, Project Genesis, the Lakeshore General Hospital, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Volunteer West Island, and Nova.<br> <br>Phyllis had a very active life until three years ago when she broke her hip. She loved to travel and was very fortunate to be able to do so often with family and friends. She read voraciously, excelled at bridge, and tennis, and cared for her husband Ian Hay, her children and friends with love and dedication.<br> <br>Over the past year, Phyllis suffered from a great deal of pain, and medication provided little relief, yet she persevered. In late September, 2021, Phyllis was diagnosed with cancer. This was the only enemy she was unable to face down.<br> <br>On October 11, 2021, Phyllis died peacefully surrounded by her adoring children Robert (George Grant) and Cathy (Véronique Martin).<br> <br>Phyllis is also survived by her nieces and nephews who she loved dearly: Peter (Darlene), Gordon (Monica), Ruby-Alice (David Smigarowski), Philip (Dale), Jennifer (Ian La Couvee) and Scott Leonard; Michael (Barb) Pennoyer; Henry (Andrea) and John (Karen) Butterfield. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Ian Hay, her sister Mary-Gordon Leonard, and her nephews John Leonard and John Pennoyer.<br><br>Rest in peace our dear, sweet warrior.<br> <br>Thank you to all of the wonderful people who cared for Phyllis over the past year at her home, as well as everyone at the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence.<br> <br>A celebration of life with family and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donating to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence. https://residencesoinspalliatifs.com/en/donate-now/, 265 André Brunet St, Kirkland, Quebec H9H 3R4.<br> <br> <br> <br>.<br><br><br></div>