Phyllis Boswell Harris, mother, loved one and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2022 in Sutherlin, Ore., at the age of 79.

Phyllis was born Ja. 23, 1943, to Gladys and Carl Boswell in East Prairie, Mo. The young Boswell family migrated out west to Seneca, in 1946 for Carl’s employment with the Edward Hines Lumber Company. After the first brutally cold winter in Seneca, the family moved to Hines, where they lived for many years.  

Phyllis grew up in Hines and graduated from Burns Union High School. In June of 1960 she married Carl Harris in Winnemucca, Nev., and together they raised three children: Scott, Traci and Gina. 

Phyllis held numerous jobs in the Burns/Hines community. Working at Burns Electric, City of Burns as the Municipal Court Judge, and at the Harney County Credit Union. She was a proud supporter of the Burns Hilander Booster Club and the Harney County annual picnic for many years before moving to the Portland area where she worked for the City of Tigard until her retirement in 2007.

Our mother loved people. Above all things, she loved to connect and talk to people. She also loved traveling as often as she could, listening to country music, visiting with her many friends and storytelling. Phyllis was an outgoing and one-of-a-kind lady, with many friends and no strangers. She considered everyone to be only one step away from her KNOWING them or being RELATED to them.  

She is survived by her son, Scott Harris (Carol) of Sutherlin; her daughter, Traci Harris of Burns; daughter, Gina Dingman (Cameron) of West Jordan, Utah; her grandchildren, Lacy Booth (Warren); Darby Dingman and Dawson Dingman; great-grandchildren, Quinton, Amiya, Harmony and Nico. She is also survived by her sister, Judy Boswell Nolan (Craig); sister, Connie Boswell Foster (Len); brother, Gary Boswell (Judy); and brother, David Boswell (Diana); and many nephews and nieces. 

Preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Carl Boswell and by her grandson, Joshua Harris. 

A celebration of life will be held in Burns, in June of 2023.