Phyllis was born in Berwyn Illinois. When she was 10 years old, her family moved to Sunnyvale California to follow her fathers job transfer. At age 18 she started working at Western Electric Co. in Sunnyvale where she met Phil Gonzales who she would marry in 1978.
After 30 years of working for the phone company she retired at 48 years old. Phyllis and Phil were living in Castro Valley at that time and in 2005 Phil retired and they bought 3 acres in a gated community in Paso Robles. There they grew grapes and made wine. After 12 years they got tired of grapes and in 2015 they bought a home in Trilogy in Rio Vista. She loved Trilogy and had many friends.
In 2018 her doctor informed her that she had lung cancer. Part of her lung was removed, and everything was fine. Later that year it returned in her other lung and eventually metastasized to her brain. She died at home with her husband by her side.
She leaves behind her husband Phil of 44 years and sister Geri Hodge, bother in-law Jim Hodge, stepchildren Anthony and Kim and granddaughter Gracie, and many relatives and friends. She will be deeply missed and always loved.