Phyllis D. Quilter
Aug. 30, 1922-April 7, 2016
Portola Valley, California
Submitted by Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel

Phyllis Dagmar Lichetti Blum Quilter August 30, 1922 – April 7, 2016 After living a full life, Phyllis Quilter passed away at age 93 from leukemia. She is survived by her two sons: Richard Frank Blum of Portola Valley and Karl Nicholas Blum of Mountain View.

Born in Philadelphia to Ralph and Ida Anderson Lichetti, Phyllis attended both elementary and secondary schools, graduating from Overbrook High School in 1940. During WWII she worked for the General Electric Company as a draftsperson. She met her first husband there, Frank Nicholas Blum, who was on the GE Test Program. Frank was a graduate of the University of Pittsburg – BS; Electrical Engineering.

After marrying in June 1944, Lieutenant Junior Grade Frank Blum was sent to sea in the U.S.S. Princeton, CV37. At the close of the war and returning to GE, Frank was transferred to San Francisco. The couple, along with first born, Rick, drove across the country in 1948, settling in the Sunset District.

Phyllis spent her time modeling and doing bread commercials for Langendorf bread. Two years later found the family in Palo Alto, where Phyllis was involved in the Cub Scouts and working part-time for the Credit Department at the Emporium in Stanford Shopping Center. Here a second son, Karl, was born.

Moving to Portola Valley in 1960, Phyllis became involved with community activities to include the town council, where she was instrumental in the formation of the Town of Portola Valley. She was a Special Deputy Sheriff of San Mateo County for Human Relations, and served as Secretary of the San Mateo Grand Jury.

Additional activities included volunteer service with the Sequoia YMCA, Children’s Health Council and Christ Episcopal Church. Recreational activities included golf, trail riding and gardening.

In 1974, Frank died and Phyllis united with long-time acquaintance, Joseph Francis Quilter, RAdm. (ret), whose wife had also recently passed. They were married in January 1975 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

The couple enjoyed travel. Their adventures covered the four corners of the globe: China, taking the Trans-Siberian Railroad across Russia and extensively exploring Europe to name a few.

They resided together in Joe’s home in Portola Valley until his death in 2000. Phyllis returned to her Portola Valley home, where she continued to be socially active and pursue her love of golf.

Phyllis will be laid to rest next to her mother at Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 3:00 PM. A small family memorial will be conducted with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Sequoia YMCA, 1445 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061, Children’s Health Council, 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304 or the Christ Episcopal Church, 815 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028.