Phyllis Merrick Purdum, 91 of Friday Harbor, Washington, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2021, on San Juan Island. She was born on February 22, 1930 to Emerson and Beatrice Merrick in Medford, Oregon.

Phyllis graduated from Medford High School in 1948, and in 1952 she received her BA in Botany from Mills College in Oakland, CA. After graduation she worked at Stanford School of Medicine and continued her studies in San Francisco, CA and Corvallis, OR becoming a fully qualified Medical Technologist. She was fascinated by science and was a lifelong learner, taking continuing education until her death.

She married Peter F. Purdum in 1956 and they moved to Seattle, WA where she pursued her career, working at Ballard Community Hospital and then Group Health Cooperative until her retirement.

Phyllis was a loving mother to her four children and a devoted friend. She was a member of Altar Guild at Trinity Parish Church all the years she lived in Seattle. She relocated to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island when she was in her 80s to be closer to family, becoming active in the Lutheran Church in the San Juans.

Phyllis is remembered by her children and numerous friends for her dry wit and sharp mind. She liked to say that although she did not have a great sense of humor, she did have a marvelous sense of the absurd. She will be deeply missed.  Due to Pandemic restrictions a private service will be held at Trinity, Seattle.

To share memories of Phyllis please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com