Phyllis Hull

With her kind heart and spirit of generosity, Phyllis Hull touched the lives of so many within her reach. Whether she was caring for the children she was blessed with or working with volunteers within her community, Phyllis could often be found setting her own needs aside to better the lives of others. She was devoted to running her household while her husband served in the military, and as their family lived all over the world, Phyllis was always able to create a haven that her family was always able to call home.

Times were good in America during the mid-twenties as the unemployment rate hovered just under two percent, the cost of a United States postage stamp was just two cents, and the culture was rich with dance crazes such as the Charleston and the shimmy, while jazz music and sentimental ballads dominated the music scene. It was in 1926 that in Constantine, Michigan, John and Bessie (Reiff) Quigley were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Phyllis Louise, on February 17th. Raised in Constantine, a small village in St. Joseph County, Phyllis was the only child in her family during times that were tough for many people in America as the Great Depression hampered our nation throughout the thirties. Phyllis attended local schools and for the first three of her years in high school, she attended Mattawan High School where she met the man who would turn out to be her one true love.

His name was Bob Hull and he was two years her senior at Mattawan High, although they were only separated by one grade. When Phyllis first met Bob, there was a bit of an attraction, but her father was quite protective of his little girl and kept a close eye on the budding relationship. At the time, Phyllis worked downtown for the phone company while Bob worked at Gilmore Brothers, and for her senior year, she attended the “old” Kalamazoo Central on Westnedge from which she graduated at the end of the school year.

Despite their growing fondness for each other, Phyllis and Bob were soon separated for a time. While WWII raged on overseas, Bob answered the call to serve his country and went into the United States Army where he became a second lieutenant by the age of 19. When he returned to Kalamazoo, Bob was disappointed to find that Phyllis was engaged to someone else. He was persistent though, and over the next five months he worked to convince Phyllis that he would be the better choice. At the end of that five month period, Phyllis agreed, and they eloped to Hartsville, South Carolina, and were married on July 25, 1946. They were later blessed with the births of three children whom Phyllis adored.

Bob had chosen to remain in the military, and since that was his career, their family consequently moved around quite a bit. It was around every three years that they moved to a new location, living in many areas around the world. For a time, their family lived in Saipan, the largest island and capital of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands located in the western Pacific Ocean. They also spent five years in France as well. Since Bob was absent much of the time due to his career, Phyllis was left to fill both parental roles at times, and she also kept their active family running smoothly too. Both parents were very involved in their children’s lives when time allowed, especially with their son’s Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities.

Upon Bob’s retirement from the Army, they returned to Kalamazoo where Phyllis helped run the Hull Family Party Store in Texas Township for seven years. They built a home on 10th Street in 1964 where they lived throughout the rest of their married life. Phyllis also was active within her community as she oversaw volunteers at both Borgess and Bronson Hospital for several years. Faith was always important to Phyllis and she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and was also a charter member of St. Catherine of Siena Church.

Phyllis was certainly unique in many ways that have become such precious remembrances of her now. She had an amazing memory, especially when it came to dates and people, and she liked listening to big band music which was so popular during her youth. Phyllis was even a bit of a musician herself as she could play the slide guitar. When it came to relaxing in front of the television, Phyllis often watched the Fox News Channel or older shows like M*A*S*H and Milton Berle. Phyllis greatly enjoyed flowers, especially geraniums, and often brought flowers into her home. She was known for her scrumptious desserts, most notably her angel food cakes, éclairs, and baked Alaska.

Like a vibrant sunrise splashed across the sky, Phyllis Hull brought warmth and beauty to the world around her. She was caring and thoughtful of others, always being mindful of ways in which she could brighten someone else’s day. Phyllis loved caring for her family, and as her husband’s career brought them all around the globe, together they provided a stable home in which they raised their children. Even when the trying times of life turned her skies to gray, Phyllis remained steady while drawing strength from her faith that was always such a stabilizing force in her life. Although her family and friends say goodbye, they will forever hold dear the legacy of love that Phyllis leaves behind.

Phyllis Louise Hull died September 9, 2009 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Her family includes her husband of 63 years, Robert “Bob” Hull; their 2 children, Kathy (Bob) Blackman of Omaha, NE, Tom Hull of Portage; and 4 grandchildren, Alisha, Michael, Angela and Sarah. She was preceded in death by one daughter Peggy Hanchar. Visit with her family and friends on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI, 6080 Stadium Dr. 375-2900 where a prayer service will be held Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, 11:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Food and fellowship will follow in the church hall. Private interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign her guestbook, share a memory or photo, or make a memorial contribution to: Rose Arbor Hospice, Ronald McDonald Children Charities, or Mosaic.