In Memoriam: Phyllis Joyce Key

— from Evans Chapel —

Phyllis Joyce Key, 91, of Orcas Island, WA, passed away on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 8, 2016. She was born on March 4, 1925 in Marion, Ohio, the first of nine children of Donald and Madeline (Wynn) Cocherl.

Phyllis studied metallurgy for the Cincinnati, Ohio Ordinance Department during WWII and later worked in a factory as an inspector counting the number of stitches in newly made parachutes for quality control. Soon she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she met the love of her life, Eugene (Bud) Key, a Navy WWII bomber pilot.

Phyllis was a child of the Great Depression who learned that frugality and hard work were positive attributes. She loved organization and cleanliness and found success as a clerk at a credit union, department store supervisor and housekeeper. Phyllis loved music, arts and crafts of all kinds and auto racing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Key and a son, Thomas E. Key. Phyllis is survived by a son, Gary A. Key and a daughter, Karen Key Speck, both of Orcas Island, WA and three siblings, Patrick, Brian and Beverly. Memorial donations may be made to Orcas Mercy Flight Pilots – payable to Orcas Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 712, Eastsound, WA 98245. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Phyllis please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com