Phyllis Mary Peterson Carson, 99, passed away peacefully on July 5. 2022. Phyllis was born on May 13, 1923 on the family ranch in Gilbert, Arizona, the daughter of Mary and Edwin Peterson. She attended schools in Gilbert and Phoenix, attended Mills College and graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in English.
She met her future husband, C.A.Carson in high school. They married on April 19, 1947. They had three children: Kristin, Abbie, and Charlie. Phyllis and C.A. shared many happy summers at their cabin in Pinetop, Arizona.
Phyllis was an avid reader, an excellent tennis player until she was in her mid-seventies and relished her biweekly bridge games well into her nineties. She was a docent at the Phoenix Art Museum and a longtime member of the Board of Visitors. One of Phyllis’s greatest loves was gardening. She was deeply interested in horticulture and enjoyed using her plant books to identify unusual plants. She took great pleasure in designing and working in her gardens and was not afraid of doing the heavy work herself. She cherished her membership in the Arizona Columbine Garden Club and the friends she made there for over sixty years.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband C.A. Carson, her brother Timothy Edwin Peterson, and her sister Ann Macauley. She is survived by her daughters Kristin (Bob) Hoffman, Abigail (Clay) Berger, her son Charles A. Carson, her seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Nancy Heitel Smith
So very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was one of the last ones standing from a long line of great people to have known. Thinking of you and your family, and all the great times we had. Nancy Heitel Smith
Rebecca Stedman
What a wonderful life your mom had. I have some fond memories from many years gone by. Thinking of the entire Carson family.
Becki Beardsley Stedman.
Kathryn Bamberl
TO all the Carson family!!! Your mom was a real trooper. .One of the last of the greatest generation.. I’m sorry for your loss.. but know she’s up there with the rest of the bridge group, Columbine garden club, BOV, and all else.. She was and you all were, so fortunate to have had her with you for so long a life.. How wonderful for you all.. Love you all lots.. Loved your mom.. she was a gem… I had forgotten y’all were related to the Peterson’s!!!! Such great memories…
Love , hugs, well deserved grief… Happy thoughts.. always kathy heitel bamberl
our family history/connections will continue
Mary Makaus
My thoughts are with your family as you celebrate the long life of your mother. I loved watching her spring bulbs pop up in her front yard. Mary Makaus