May 1, 1943-April 23, 2024
In the early morning hours of April 23, 2024, on the wings of angels, Phyllis transcended this earthly plane.
Phyllis was born May 1, 1943, to Thomas and Rose Poulos and raised in Murray, Utah. Just 11 months later she was joined by sister Georgia and four years later, they welcomed their little brother Tom. The three of them were very close and loved living and growing up near family. They spent many hours at Murray Park Swimming pool; it was one of her favorite childhood memories. Phyllis was especially close to her Grandmother Manda, who she affectionally called “Bubba.”
She graduated from Murray High School, married Jerry Hartman and started her family there. She had four boys, Shaun, Thomas and Chris Hartman, and James Wight Hartman. They later divorced.
Thomas was born with Down Syndrome. Phyllis worked tirelessly to raise him with the same rules and responsibilities that the other boys had. He was not expected to live past 10 years old because of a heart defect. (He will turn 60 in June!) He graduated from high school just like the other boys. She became a teacher to special needs children.
Phyllis wanted a change, so she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she became an insurance adjuster for Etna. There, she met and married Lyle Daniels. She, her boys and her husband shared many adventures. They moved to Cody, Wyoming, where they managed The Pahaska Tepee Resort Lodge. They moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where she was an aerobics instructor and taught many fitness classes. She and Tom worked out five days a week until the last three weeks of her life.
On to California, where Tom had open heart surgery to repair his heart at the age of 30. Phyllis worked for In-Home Supportive Services and was very involved with Special Olympics, the Santa Rosa Parks Department, and was President of the Sonoma County Respite Services Board of Directors.
She and Tom taught an aerobics class co-sponsored by the Special Olympics and the Parks and Recreation Department for the developmentally disabled and an abled partner. She and Tom were a team, delivering Meals on Wheels in San Rosa, California. Phyllis encouraged Tom in his art. He designed and painted a new design each year. They made magnets and T-shirts to give and sell to friends and family.
Finally retiring to St. George in 2011, she loved Zion National Park, Goat Rock Beach in the San Francisco area and the whole Bay Area. She loved doing puzzles, was an avid reader, watched Football and Basketball, and was a lifelong Raiders and Jazz fan. She knew ALL the players’ names throughout all of her 60-plus years of being a fan. Phyllis loved arts and crafts and gave away handmade ornaments every Christmas. She and Tom worked and volunteered in every city they lived in.
They won many awards and accolades for her service in all of the cities that she lived in. She filled her life with advocating for people with disabilities. They enjoyed working and then volunteering for Active Life Senior Center in St. George for the last 12 years, where Phyllis served as the Vice President of the Advisory Board.
We wish to thank the Intermountain Cancer Center, Dr. Reece and all of the wonderful nurses there. Also, Dixie Home Hospice for their love and care in her last week. She passed quickly after a 14-month battle against Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
She is survived by her sister Georgia (Eloy) Vigil; sons Shaun (Suzanne) Hartman, Thomas Hartman, and Chris (DeVone) Hartman; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends, as well as her heart-chosen daughter Tracey Wight Parks and the entire Wight family; and dear and special friend Verna Shelton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Tom, and son James, as well as many dear friends. What a glorious reunion it must have been when she was greeted by them and her beloved Bubba. We will miss the long talks, the laughter, your positive affirmations and your love of life! Rest in the arms of the angel’s dear lady.
There will be a luncheon and celebration of life on May 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Active Life Senior Center, where she and Tom were volunteers for the last 12 years, located at 245 N. 200 W., St. George, Utah.
She and Tom spent the last 27 years taking care of each other. Each morning, as they drank their cup of coffee, they would share the following toast:
I choose to be happy today.
I choose to be positive today.
I choose Joy today, for you, for me, for us!
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.