Phyllis O. Bauer

On Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Phyllis Mae Oxford Bauer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed on to be with her Lord at the age of 92. Phyllis was born on October 11, 1929 in Portland, PA to Mildred and Paul Oxford. She was an only child. She lived her early years in Bangor, PA and then in Brooklyn, NY where her parents could find jobs during the depression. Summers were spent on her grandfather's farm in Bangor, PA. Phyllis graduated from high school in Allentown, PA, and then enrolled at Pennsylvania State Univ. where she met her husband, Harry. She earned a BS degree in Home Economics Education in June of 1951, and two weeks later married Harry. They moved to the Pittsburg, PA area to begin their life together. Her high school teaching career ended when the first child was born in 1952, but her teaching talents continued to be used as a Bible teacher. As Harry's jobs changed and new ones developed, their home moved to other cities and states. Phyllis found eager Bible students wherever she went, who benefitted greatly from her Bible knowledge and her loving and caring ways. Harry and Phyllis have had their home in Vancouver, WA since 1993. She is survived by her husband, Harry. There are four surviving married children - three daughters, Lauri Robbins with her husband, Tom in Escondido, CA; Jayne Eckman with her husband Pat in Vancouver, WA; Lynn Winslow with her husband Dan in Escondido, AZ. And there is one son, Kurt Bauer with his wife, Lynn in Vancouver, WA. Phyllis is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Phyllis' mother and father raised her, an only child, in the Christian faith. She became God's child at the age of 16. Her legacy revolved around her love for the Lord, serving Him, and loving and caring for her family and others before caring for herself. Her smile told you that there was abundant love and acceptance inside. You knew she was there for you. As her husband of almost 71 years, I saw the lives of so many being changed for the better through her words to them, or notes on a card, or just observing her walking through life. She was a magnificent blessing to me and our family. She loved each one the same, and that love was abundant. For me, she was my spiritual anchor, my faithful encourager, my love. Whatever is good in me, she and the Lord put it there. And along with all that love for others that she possessed, she had an inner strength to cope with life's afflictions and hurts. Her faith and trust in the Lord, and that inner strength was so important to the family. Even with the loss of a fifth child in childbirth, her faith in the Lord and her devotion to her family did not waver. Stricken with a stroke for her last 14 years, she could not communicate with understandable words except to say occasionally "I can't talk." Yet, that loving smile remained, and you knew she loved you. There were no outward complaints, no 'why me?'. In service to her Lord, she faithfully taught Bible studies at the churches we attended through the years. For over 40 years she led Precept Ministry Bible studies in California, Nevada and in Vancouver, each time leaving the study in the hands of a gifted and faithful servant of the Lord. My Phyllis was a beautiful gift from God to me and our family, and to all who knew her. Now she is with the Lord. Now she can talk and dance (no more wheelchair). Perhaps Jesus has had to suggest to her that she doesn't have to say it all now. He probably said: "My child, you have all eternity to tell me." Though we grieve greatly now, we shall see her again with wonderful joy and celebration! An open Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 12:30 PM. It will be held at: Evergreen Memorial Gardens 1101 NE 112th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684 A light lunch will be served following the service.

Phyllis O. Bauer

October 11, 1929 - June 8, 2022