Phyllis Ann Hassinger's Obituary
Phyllis Hassinger, beloved wife and mother, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2019. Phyllis was born on July 29, 1938 in Chicago to George and Mary Tepe. She attended Marquette University, where she met a young Marine named Edward Hassinger. After graduating in 1960, Phyllis taught school for a year, and married Ed in November of that year.
Ed and Phyllis began their family in Milwaukee, but after he graduated and was commissioned as an officer, they moved frequently. After moves to Virginia, California, Morocco and Hawaii, among others, they settled in Escondido in 1974, where Ed eventually retired from the Marines.
Phyllis was an active and valued member of her community, and had leadership roles in a number of organizations, including Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, PTA and the Escondido Republican Club. Phyllis also developed an interest in local politics - she campaigned for city council members, helped organize petition drives for local propositions, and frequently spoke before the Escondido Planning Commission and City Council. Eventually, Phyllis was appointed to the Escondido Planning Commission, where she served for a number of years. She was particularly proud of her work on the 1990 General Plan Review. She also served on the San Diego County Flood Control District Advisory Commission. Phyllis was an avid bridge player, and despite the family’s many moves, always managed to be a part of a regular bridge group.
Phyllis had a determined personality, and enjoyed being self-sufficient.
Although raised in a big city, she learned to keep chickens and cows, often serving as an animal midwife, and her extensive garden kept the family well-supplied with fruits and vegetables. When she needed something welded, she took a class and bought an oxy-acetylene welder.
When she was annoyed by an auto mechanic, she started taking automotive repair classes at the community college, and was soon changing the brakes on the family cars. Her enthusiasm for learning new skills was an inspiration to those around her.
Phyllis had a deep faith in the Catholic Church and was an active member at St. Mary’s. She regularly attended the traditional Latin Mass. She is survived by her husband Edward, her five children, Nancy, Joe, Kathy, Mary and Laura, four grandchildren, and her sister, Mary Stien of Peoria, IL. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Escondido at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary Building Fund.
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