Phyllis Jane Bower Weare was born April 20, 1932, to Milton and Ethel Bower and passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Phyllis grew up in small towns in Washington and Oregon and graduated from high school in Burns. She attended Northwest Christian College and the University of Oregon and graduated from the UO School of Nursing in 1955.

Phyllis and Dr. Clifford Weare were married in June 1955. Their new family included Clifford’s three children; William, Sally and John.

Phyllis and Clifford soon become Christian Medical Missionaries. They spent time in Indianapolis, Indiana and Brussels, Belgium in preparation for missionary work in Belgian Congo, Africa. In 1957, they moved to Belgian Congo where they ran a hospital in Wema, in remote Congo. They spent a few years in Congo before returning to Burns. After returning to Burns, Phyllis and Cliff adopted Tom, Mike and Camille.

In Burns, Phyllis started an after school tutoring program for children from the local Paiute Indian Tribe. She also started a Head Start Early Education Program in Harney County. Her goal was to see more local children graduate from high school. As a result of her work, she was awarded the 1969 Human Rights Award by the Oregon Education Association Commission on Human Rights and Responsibilities.

Phyllis moved to Eugene after Cliff’s death, to be near her sister Ruth Bascue. She worked as an RN for several years and joined the First Christian Church. She was active in choir and several church committees. She also became a Master Gardener and a Master Recycler.

Phyllis lived on a small farm near Monroe for several years in the 90’s and early 2000’s. There she created a sanctuary where she was self-sufficient. She had a huge garden and raised chickens, geese, goats and sheep. She enjoyed working the land and preserved much of the food she grew. 

Phyllis eventually moved back into Eugene and maintained a large garden at her home. From there she moved to a senior apartment and most recently to River Grove Care Facility.

Phyllis is survived by her children: William (Nancy) Weare, Sally (Steve) Edney, John Weare and Michael (Donna) Weare. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Heather Anderson, Walter Weare, Neil Weare, Eric Edney and Brian Weare and nine great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive her. A special thank you to nephew, Roger Bascue and niece, Rosemary Burns for all they did to help Phyllis in her later years. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents; five siblings; husband, Clifford; son, Thomas Weare; daughter, Camille Harte; and grandson, Bryce Weare.

A Memorial Service for Phyllis will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 1166 Oak Street, Eugene, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local food pantry in Phyllis’ name.