Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

PhD,” remembers Phyllis, “we loaded all of our worldly possessions into a modern -day Conestoga wagon (also known as a U-Haul truck) and headed south–to a part of the country where we never envisioned living. I felt like a pioneer who headed west to seek better opportunities, leaving family and friends for an unfamiliar future.”As Larry began his teaching career, Phyllis says she settled in – learning “southern.” In 1979, Phyllis “jumped at the opportunity” to substitute in one of the three- year- old classes where her son was enrolled. She taught there until 1985 when she took advantage of a newMemphis State program for returning adult students. Phyllis chose to major in Medical Photography. She studied for several years, taking other classes because they sounded interesting and piqued her curiosity. She was briefly the photo editor of the school newspaper, The Helmsman. In 1991, when Lance left home for college, Phyllis would begin a series of what most of us would consider “dream” opportunities. Her first “job” was as a tour guide and volunteer coordinator at the Mallory-Neely House in Victorian Village. This also included giving tours of Elwood Cemetery and downtown Memphis. In 1995, she had the opportunity to become the Volunteer Coordinator at the Pink Palace. In 2001, she accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, advancing to coordinating and teaching abuse prevention for selected groups. In 2006, tired of the commute between Germantown and downtown, Phyllis made the decision to end employment, but she would continue to volunteer with Elmwood and the Pink Palace. However, in 2010, an opportunity came to work with Meritan, a multi-faceted, non-profit organization which helps disadvantaged people. Phyllis worked on a six- month grant to help prepare adults for employment. According to Phyllis, this was one of the most satisfying jobs she ever had. In 2014, Larry died unexpectedly, and in 2019, Phyllis began to think of a retirement community. She frequently visited a friend who lived at Kirby Pines and was impressed by the friendliness of the people and the many activities available–especially the Needle Arts Group. In 2021, Phyllis was the first resident to move into the newly renovated L Wing of Kirby Pines. Since then, Phyllis has continued her sense of volunteerism by being a part of the Book Baggers, Ham’ateurs, Photo Club, Theater Group, Rhythm Band, Bible studies, and, of course, the Needle Arts Group. When asked what she likes best about Kirby Pines, her response was, “I enjoy the commradery and sense of family here. If I have a question or need help with something, there is always someone standing by.” Unquestionably, Phyllis knows more Memphis history than most native Memphians, and obviously adds much to Kirby Pines! Written by Joan Dodson, Resident of Kirby Pines The Pinecone | August 2024 • 7 • To know Phyllis Peterson is to recognize a multi-talented individual who is not afraid to be herself. Although one might have originally identified her by the beautiful shawls she knits, more recently she has acquired a pink-tinged hairstyle which is unique and typically Phyllis. Also recognizable is Phyllis’s quest for answers and explanations for things that concern her. Phyllis says, “I was a curious child, wanting to know where things came from and how they were made. I once took a small alarm clock apart to see how it worked. On walks to school, I would fill my pockets with things I found on the ground such as screws, washers, nails, etc. I wanted to find out what they were used for.” Phyllis Hull was born in Moscow–Idaho that is! Her family was from Washington State, and Phyllis and her parents returned there in 1949 when her father completed college. Phyllis was the only child until her first brother was born in 1951. According to Phyllis, “I was sent to stay with my grandmother and was on her front porch, coloring. She came to me and said, ‘You have a new baby brother!’ According to my grandmother, my reply was a scowl as I started breaking up my crayons. I obviously wasn’t too happy. Several years later, a second brother came along. My relationship with my brothers was good as long as I was in charge.” Phyllis says she was blessed to have a wonderful childhood. Her summers were filled with playing with the neighborhood kids–day and night! Swimming, bicycling, digging for earthworms, and trying to find China were only a few of the activities from their creative minds. In 1959, the family moved from Spokane to Walla Walla, Washington. It was here that Phyllis attended high school. She says she enjoyed her history classes (no surprises there) and was very involved in theater production. Graduating in 1965, she attended Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. “After two years, I dropped out of college and worked as a waitress and bartender,” reports Phyllis. While in Pullman, Phyllis met Larry Peterson who was starting graduate school at Washington State. They dated for over a year and married in 1972. Their only child, Lance, was born in 1973. Larry completed graduate study in 1977 and accepted a faculty position at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis). “So, with a newly minted THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING Resident Spotlight: Phyllis Petersen Phyllis Age Two