Phyllis (Phyl) Foley passed away peacefully from complications of Parkinson’s disease on January 14, 2018. She was 79 years young. Phyl lived in Port Townsend for 46 years and was known and loved as a nurse, mid-wife, environmentalist, gardener, chocolatier, baker, and all-around fabulous cook and person. Phyl was creative, smart, capable, and independent. She never lost her sense of self or her sense of humor.
Phyl was born in Hermiston, Oregon on Christmas Eve, 1938 to Amy Arlyne Clark and Donald Edgar Jackson, who said many times that she was the best Christmas present he ever got. Her family then moved to Lindsay, California, where she grew up playing in the orange and olive groves with two siblings. She lost her mom in a sudden boating accident when she was 6. In 1948, her dad married Lois Barlow and soon after, Phyl welcomed a baby brother. As teenagers, the siblings drove some spectacular cars, including a 1921 Lincoln, a 1930 V-12 Cadillac, a 1932 Stutz Bearcat, and several Corvettes.
Phyl married her high school sweetheart, Ron Mitchell, and obtained her nursing degree in 1959. They moved to Eugene, OR where her first 3 children were born: Andrea Rene Mitchell in 1960, Aaron Hale Mitchell in 1962, and Damon Heath Mitchell in 1964. Phyl and Ron divorced in 1965.
Phyl moved to Seattle to share a house with her brother Jim, who introduced her to Tom Foley. They married in 1968 at Tom’s parents house in Berkeley, California, and then headed back to Seattle where Tom was teaching art at Garfield High. A year later, they bought a beautiful old Shane Cabin Cruiser named Osprey, which became the family’s new home. The boat was docked at the Lake Union R & H Marina, where Tom worked as a boat builder, and Phyl brought home some wild stories about working the night shift in the ER at Swedish Hospital.
On one of their trips toodling Osprey around the Puget Sound, they discovered Port Townsend, and it soon became their home. They lived on Frank and Onda Kilham’s farm for several years while searching for their own land to build on. In 1974, Ian Patrick Foley was born on the Kilham’s property. A year later, they bought 20 acres of land, and built a log cabin of their own. In 1978, Megan Campbell Foley was born in the house they built. Years later, Tom and Phyl divorced, but they stayed good friends.
Phyl was a midwife and helped deliver many kids in Port Townsend, whom she lovingly referred to as “her babies.” The only thing she was better known for was being an outstanding cook! She helped establish many restaurants in Port Townsend. After starting the Water Street Cafe, she was recruited to join the Salal Cafe. While at the Salal, she created a distinctive vegetarian lunch menu still remembered by many. Phyl and Tom also created the Top Onion, a unique, pop-up restaurant with international cuisine that was often held at the Port Townsend Golf Course.
In December of 1986, she was hired by Elevated Ice Cream Company and began making all of their pastries and hand-dipped chocolate truffles. In 1994, she founded Greenleaf Chocolates and continued making Elevated’s cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, lemon bars and truffles (yum!) from the commercial bakery that she and Tom built on their property. She retired after 26 years of making delicious chocolates and baked goods.
Phyl died calmly and peacefully with all her kids and several other family members with her. The room was filled with love, laughter, and good music. She will be sorely missed by many.
Phyl’s surviving family includes all her kids, Andrea Mitchell (Dave Kuhlman), Aaron Mitchell, Damon (Ellen) Mitchell, Ian Foley, and Megan Foley (Jascha Gulden); siblings Jim (Sue) Jackson, Pat Danielsen, and Michael Jackson (Lisa MacLeod); grand daughter Morgan Mitchell; nephews Campbell Jackson, Landis Jackson, Lucas Jackson and Eric Danielsen; nieces Diana Nessa, Rachel Sampson and Sharon Sampson; grandniece Harmony Nessa; dog Ollie; grand dog Memphis; and countless friends and community members.
Phyl was preceded in death by her dad, Donald Jackson, her mom, Amy Arlyne Clark, and step-mom Lois Jackson. Also, the fathers to her children, Ron Mitchell and Tom Foley.
She lived her final year at Discovery View Retirement Apartments, and made many new friends there. A huge thank you to Jefferson General Hospital who helped with everything in the last few days.
The family is planning a celebration for Phyl in the spring. Details to come.
