Phyllis Whitmore, age 85, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Loyd Taylor and Flora Giles Burton, in her Uncle Fielding's car on the way to a hospital. She was reared during the Great Depression, initially on State Street in Salt Lake City, and later in the Forest Dale area of Sugarhouse. She graduated from South High School and attended the University of Utah.
She married Robert S. Whitmore (1927-2015) in 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their children: Robert Jr. (Kathy); Rachel (Mike Johnson); twins Earl (Lori) and Elaine (Blaine Daimaru); Michael (Lisa); Ann (David Smith); Gene (Pam); and Carl (Mandy). Phyllis had 32 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She is survived by all her children and 3 of her siblings: Blaine Burton, Theressa Matthes, and Loyd T. Burton Jr. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; a brother, Wayne; a sister, Judy; and a granddaughter and great-grandson.
Music was one of the passions of her life. She played violin for the Utah Symphony for many years; performed in the pit orchestra in the Pioneer Memorial and Promised Valley theaters; and played at the former Valley Music Hall and in string quartets and other chamber groups. With her husband, Bob, Phyllis sang as a member of the Tabernacle Choir and with the Utah Symphony Chorus. She taught violin for over 50 years. She only stopped playing the violin when the placement of a pacemaker made holding the violin painful. With Bob, she helped pioneer Musical Kindergarten in Utah, and she served on the Temple Square Concert Series committee for 15 years.
Another passion was her love of the Savior and the Gospel. She served in a variety of ward and stake positions, often related to music. She also served three missions with Bob: to Guatemala; Peoria, Illinois (Nauvoo); and the Nauvoo Temple. Phyllis and Bob further served for many years as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake Temple.
A viewing will be held on July 2 from 6 to 8 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple in Salt Lake City. Her funeral is on July 3, 2019, at 11 am at Hunter Village Ward, 3450 S 6400 West, West Valley City, Utah 84128. There is also a viewing at the church prior to the funeral, from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Burial in Midvale City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please give a generous fast offering or other charitable gift.
