Phyllis Anne Anderson

Phyllis died peacefully on September 1, 2025 in her home in Jefferson, Oregon surrounded by loved ones. She was born on February 13, 1945 to parents Elizabeth and Walter Locke. She was raised with her two brothers, Bill and Vance, in a small ocean town on the Oregon Coast. Bayocean was her first childhood home until it was eventually destroyed by the ocean. After leaving Bayocean her family lived nearby in Cape Meares.

Being the youngest of her siblings and only child from her father she was showered with love. She shared many stories from her early years living on the Oregon Coast. One story she shared, reflected one of the many miracles she experienced in life. As a young girl she was playing on the beach with her friends. The tide came in quickly and she took refuge on a rock. She was rescued from the ocean by her father who was able to swim out to her. Even after leaving the Oregon Coast she always felt at ease whenever she was at the beach.

She got married in 1961 and followed her husband, Gerry Anderson, to Corvallis. There she got to experience life living in college town. This was where her first son, David, was born. They moved to Massachusetts where her other children, Christian and Erik, were born. As a family of five they moved one more time to Texas to follow Gerry's job. She was a typical mother and stay-at-home wife of the time. Her role as a mother changed drastically when her youngest son, Erik, was diagnosed with Leukemia, which he eventually died from.

Following the death of her son, Erik, she worked different jobs and even applied for her own credit card. This was a unique situation for women of that time and a moment she was very proud of throughout her entire life. She eventually separated from Gerry, but always held their relationship close. She discovered her love for fishing and camping and was happy that she found someone to share all of these experiences with JR Tanuz.

As a grandma she was always pouring out love into all that she did. She was a woman of many talents: sewing, baking, cooking, crocheting, crafting, and finding the best things at the thrift store. There was never a time you would walk into her house and not see her busy doing one of these activities. Her love language was gift giving and she collected gifts for people year round. Her specialty though was homemade items. When she wasn’t at home she was hitting the road and finding new adventures to have. When talking to her about places to go in Oregon there were very few places she hadn’t heard about. Oregon was always her home.

She lived a very full life with lots of things that she overcame.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Elizabeth and Walter Locke, youngest son Erik, first husband Gerry Anderson, brothers Bill (Margaret) Mason and Vance Mason. She is survived by her beloved JR, two sons Christian (Rene) Anderson and David (Mary) Anderson. Grandaughters Victoria (Ashton) Defilippis, Elizabeth, Madelene, Kathryn, and Tabitha Anderson. Great- grandsons Darson and Vincent.

In lieu of flowers please read the story about Bayocean, https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-bayocean-ghost-town-resort-tillamook-bay/