Phyllis Joan Caswell
Oct. 4, 1943 – April 21, 2024
Former Yachats resident Phyllis Joan Caswell of Milpitas, Calif. passed away April 21, 2024, in Mountain View, Calif. after a short battle with cancer. She was 80.
Phyllis Joan Caswell was born in Evanston, Ill. to Robert and Wanda Reitz on Oct. 4, 1943. She graduated from St. Patrick Academy High School in 1962 and attended Mundelein College. Her nickname growing up was “Bobby” after her dad, Robert (Bob).
In her early years, Phyllis worked as a telephone operator in Illinois then moved to California in 1972 and worked in finance at companies such as Goodwill and the YMCA.
One of her biggest passions was being on or near the water. For several years Phyllis had a houseboat named The Diamond Girl on the San Joaquin Delta. She loved exploring the waters, fishing, and partying with family and friends at any opportunity. These were wonderful times. She also loved to work in her yard, tending to her roses and gardens.
Phyllis moved to Yachats in 2000 where the ocean became her backyard. She was involved with the Yachats Lions Club, Kiwanis, a neighborhood church, and participated in many community activities.
She moved back to California in 2013 and lived in Milpitas. She volunteered at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, assisting in the retail department and spending countless hours as an advocate and participant in the community cat spay and neuter programs. She loved her cats.
Phyllis loved to have fun, play games such as Scrabble, Bingo and cards, listen to music, was a faithful San Francisco 49er’s fan and knew how to host a party. Her deviled eggs were irresistible.
Phyllis is survived by her three children: Sandra Foster of Oregon (husband, Alan Foster; daughter Cassidy Ulery); Donald Reierson of California (wife, Lauren Gallagher; daughters Adelyn and Fiona); and James Mead of Illinois (wife, Karen Mead; son Nico and daughter Regan); and two brothers William Reitz of Arizona (wife, Shirley; daughters Valerie and Robin) and Rick Reitz of Arizona (wife, Debbie; son, Rickey and daughter, Katherine.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Wanda Reitz.
Phyllis had a grand, memorable 80th birthday party in October 2023, and lost her battle with cancer six months later. She will be missed greatly.