Passed away, peacefully at the age of 89 with family by her side, September 2, 2023. Born on the north mountain of Nova Scotia in Glenmont on September 28, 1933, and the eldest child of late Caswell Wood and Elsie (Brewster). Phyllis was pre-deceased by her husband J.W. Smallwood (Bill) and her sister Freda who passed away in 2019, and is survived by her two brothers Glen Wood (Judy) and Gerald Wood (Elsie) and her children; Joseph Smallwood (Zenonia Fulham) and Elaine Smallwood (Gary Maheux) and her four grandchildren Laura Conway (Pascal Bisson) and Alex Conway, and Genevieve Smallwood and Christian Smallwood, and many nieces and nephews.
Phyllis entered into her military service in 1951 as a radar technician in the RCAF, and was awaiting her call to duty in Korea. In her posting to Summerside, P.E.I. in 1953 she met the love of her life, J.W. Smallwood (Bill) an air force navigator. Within months they were married and Phyllis was required to honorably release from the military since the rules did not allow for married spouses in the military. She supported her husband’s career in the military and they were posted to Montreal, and then Winnipeg where her two children were born. On their overseas posting to Germany and France they spent summers in Italy and travelling throughout Europe. Made lifelong friends with the Fabbro and Ruck Families. When Bill retired from the military in 1966, they made their home in Nova Scotia for several years until Bill was transferred to Ottawa in 1972.
Phyllis had several careers, Birks, RCA, Sears, then “award winning”, Real Estate Salesperson with Canada Trust where Bill joined her and they became the successful and innovative “Smallwood Team” long before teams had been heard of. They were nearly the first cell phone customers in Ottawa with phones in their cars, word processing computers and photocopier and fax machine in their home in the 1980’s. They would do anything for their clients, “nothing is too far or too difficult” was the motto they lived by.
Phyllis retired in the 1990’s due to arthritis, and within 2 years Bill followed her into retirement where they spent their remaining years spoiling their grandchildren, travelling, entertaining and enjoying their life together. They are dearly missed by all friends and family.
Thank you for the loving care provided by Dr. Bocz & the nurses and staff of the 2nd floor memory floor at Timberwalk Retirement Home.
Friends are invited to attend the Graveside Service for Phyllis on Saturday, September 16, 2023 in the National Military Cemetery of Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa at 10:00AM, with a reception to follow. For those not able to attend in person, you may register for the Live Streaming at the following link.
In lieu of flowers a donation to “The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County” or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.
My condolences to the entire family. Phyliss was an exceptional lady and is missed.