Phyllis Arlene Knox, 78

Phyllis Arlene Knox passed away May 4, 2016. She was born Phyllis Arlene Smail Oct. 1, 1937, to Homer (Doc) and Fern Smail in Missoula, Mont. They had moved to Missoula to live on a ranch where Doc raised cattle and cut timber for a living, during the Depression. Phyllis’s sister, Sandy Smail joined the family in 1942, when they were living on a farm in Arrow Creek, Mont.

Phyllis had a passionate love of horses. She got her first horse, Boots, when she was 10 years old. She and Sandy grew up in the shadow of the beautiful Round Butte and Square Butte mountains in central Montana. The sisters rode their horses all over the badland area. Phyllis started school in a one-room schoolhouse, then later attended Stanford High School and graduated high school at age 16. She went on to receive her BSN from Montana State University in 1958. She and her college friends were the first female students allowed to live off campus independently in that era. They had to get special Dean’s permission to do this, but it appealed to Phyllis’ thrifty and independent nature. These women maintained a lifelong friendship and held many happy reunions — through husbands, children and grandchildren.

She moved to Spokane to work at Deaconess Hospital after graduation. She met LeRoy (Jack) Knox while in Spokane and they were married on Oct. 11, 1959. She is survived by their three daughters, Shelly (Knox) Quinton, Stephanie Knox and Stacey (Knox) Lopez; as well as her sister, Sandra Smail. Her family legacy continues in much-loved grandchildren Jake, Justin, John, Sydney, Alex and Angelina; as well as two nephews Thane and Therron.

Jack and Phyllis began raising their family in Broadus, Mont., then moved to Spokane in 1976 in support of Jack’s career. Phyllis shortly started working at Valley General Hospital, then moved to Deaconess Hospital. She eventually managed several units and nurtured many nursing careers. She retired from Deaconess several years after Jack had settled into his retirement. Phyllis then focused on community activities at Calvary Lutheran Church, volunteering with the local CASA group and spending time with her grandchildren.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2016, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Post Falls.

Memorials can be made in her name online to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Phyllis Knox Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o Mountain West Bank, attn Erica, 709 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 83854, or the charity of one’s choice.