Georgina Veryl Philow

GEORGINA VERYL PHILOW 102, went to be with her savior Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Rose Haven Nursing Center where she was a much loved resident for the last seven years. She was a joy to the staff and other residents with her friendly demeanor and sharp wit. Veryl as she was called by most of her friends was born March 15, 1909 near Natoma, Kansas where she went thru school. The day after she graduated she had a job as secretary for the high school. She taught herself how to play the ukulele and soon after was singing and playing on the local radio station professionally. Veryl met the love of her life, Willard (Bill) Philow and they were married on April 20, 1934 in Osawatomie, Kansas. Shortly after they packed up and moved to Oregon for a better job working with Bill's sister and husband Blanche and Glen Nelson in McMinnville. They both worked around the McMinnville area for several years, mostly in the petroleum industry. Their only child, Douglas was born there in 1944. Opportunity called and they moved to Sutherlin, Oregon in 1952 where Bill and Veryl had invested in a new co-op plywood mill that is now known as Mazama Corp. Veryl got a job as executive secretary to the bank manager of First National Bank in Sutherlin where she worked for 17 years. Along the way she joined the Business and Professional Women's Club and shortly thereafter she became recording secretary. She discovered she loved to bowl and did so for as long as she could into her 80's. Veryl was also the secretary/treasurer for the bowling league. She retired in 1969 and she and Bill traveled extensively in the United States. Veryl marveled at the changes she had seen during her lifetime from the Great Depression, WW II and man walking on the moon. She loved going to church as a long time Methodist attendee, social activities, arts and craft work in her later years. Veryl always had a big smile and a genuine interest in how you were doing. She never complained about her physical status. Veryl attributed her long life in part to her ancestry which was Norwegian and Dutch Irish. She worked hard and lived a long clean and healthy lifestyle with lots of physical activity, community involvement and lots of laughter. Survivors include her son Doug Philow and his wife Judy; two grandsons Ben and Steve and his wife Erin; two great grandsons Connor and Rylan. Private services will be held in McMinnville, Oregon. Interment will be within the grounds of Evergreen Memorial Park.