Phyllis Lavelle O’Brien

November 29, 1950 – November 12, 2020

Phyllis was born in Yakima on Nov. 29, 1950, to Rev. and Mrs. Loy T. Pate Sr. She was a surprise package for her parents who, being an older couple, did not know she was coming.

Phyllis attended schools in Wenatchee and Moses Lake, graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1969. She furthered her education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree with a major in English, and with minors in music and psychology.

Phyllis was hired on with the Moses Lake and Warden school districts as a substitute teacher and briefly subbed at Pasco High School. Phyllis then joined her parents’ dry cleaning shop. After her father’s sudden passing, the business was sold, and she stayed at home to be her mother’s caregiver until her passing.

Phyllis studied the piano for 10 years. She took eight years of lessons in Moses Lake and two years’ private tutelage with a college professor in Ellensburg. She taught music lessons privately for a time, having 19 students at one point.

Phyllis met the love of her life David O’Brien in 2009. They fell in love and were married a year later in a beautiful garden wedding ceremony in Moses Lake. She was extremely happy being married to David, having waited for him her entire life.

Phyllis is survived by her beloved husband David O’Brien of Moses Lake, Washington, nieces Pamela Gregerson of Walla Walla, Washington and Judy Hurst of Milwaukie, Oregon, nephew Michael Pate of Enumclaw, Washington and numerous great nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, brother Loy T. Pate Jr. and sister Betty Hurst.

To view Phyllis’ full obituary, you are invited to visit Phyllis’ Online Tribute page at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com where you can also write a condolence and/or memory.