FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Phyllis Delvin
06/22/1961 — 01/17/2026
From Kennewick, WA | Born in Richland, WA
Graveside
Reception
Phyllis Delvin
Phyllis Delvin was born in Richland, Washington to Ruth and Wallace Ruff at Kadlec Hospital after her mom and dad moved to Richland after Wally’s graduation from Oregon State College to work at Hanford. She joined her older brothers Eddie and Lennie in a Richland “B” house for the first five years of her life before moving with the family to a new house in West Richland that the family built on King Drive. She enjoyed walking in the desert areas with her brother looking for agates and playing with friends who lived on ranches, especially if they had horses.
In 1969 the family moved to Ashaway, Rhode Island where her dad managed a fuels reclamation plant for United Nuclear Corporation. In 1975 the family moved to Lakeland, Florida spending four years there until relocating to the Tri-Cities during her senior year in high school. She graduated from Kamiakan High School in Kennewick in 1979 and went to work at GESA Credit Union as a teller. She worked at GESA her entire adult life, retiring in 2024 as the Operations Manager.
Phyllis had a lifelong love of animals, owning cats at a young age and dogs later as an adult, ultimately getting heavily involved in the dog show world first showing dogs in breed competitions and then participating in agility trials with her beloved Australian Shepherds. She will be dearly missed in the dog community.
Phyllis succumbed to cancer after waging a two year struggle with the disease but she always maintained a positive outlook that she would enjoy the rest of her life doing the things she loved the most, going to dog shows and spending precious time with friends and family.
“I have never found in a human being loyalty that is comparable to a dog’s loyalty.” – Doris Day
Phyllis and I had something in common, we loved our dogs more than the humans. She raised my Ozzie as her own, for that I will be eternally grateful to her. She was one of the only few genuine humans I loved. Hope she is peaceful in the after life.
we may have ended up living 2000 miles apart, but you were my best friend. I miss you every day. Rest in Peace & say “hi” to Lacie & all my Shelties for me!
I met Phyllis 20 years ago when I moved to the tri-cities. We took agility classes together in Finley. Through the years we always ran into each other at dog classes, trials and events. She always had the most welcoming smile and was always so generous donating dog items to our local dog club raffle. Your friendly spirit will be missed. Hope you are having a party at the bridge.🐾❤️
I met Phyllis many years ago. She was teaching a puppy class at a local Veterinary clinic. We bonded over agility and spent many enjoyable hours chatting at trials and classes over the years. I will miss her. My prayers go out to her family. She was one of a kind.
I lived a few houses down from Phyllis and her brothers on King Drive in West Richland. She was 5 years younger than I, but I remember her always hanging around. She was a happy, friendly little girl. I had not seen her since they moved in 69, but I have many good memories of the Ruff family. Later, her dad even hired me to work at D reactor for the summer between college years, despite knowing what a mischievous, hyperactive little kid that I was. So sorry for the families loss.
Oh Phyllis! Such a fun and loving soul. I’m honored to have known her! I hope she’s joyfully running with her doggies now.
I worked with Phyllis at Gesa and found out through conversations that our dads worked together back in the day at Hanford for GE. We both had a love for dog shows and I always looked forward to seeing her and her dogs down at Columbia Park in the spring and Fall. My heart is broken to hear of her passing. Rest in eternal peace Phyllis and know that you were loved and will be missed!
Phyllis and I met at GESA, but we bonded over our love for dogs. She and our special ladies group trained our dogs together and walked the dogs along the Columbia River. We also enjoyed being together with shared outings and meals at various homes. Those years are special to my heart — and I will always remember Phyllis, the friend who helped me train my Golden Retrievers, who met with me at a local Mexican restaurant to lessen the time I was alone waiting for my dog’s chemotherapy session to end, who was an integral part of our ladies group. I’m confident she was reunited with her furry family at The Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace.
I have many wonderful memories of Phyllis, Paula and Jill as we worked together in the Share Draft Department at GESA many years ago.
Phyllis was the kind of supervisor who wanted the best for her staff and was supportive both professionally and personally. It was a pleasure to work with her.
My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends
I am so very sad to hear of the loss of this amazing person. Phyllis was my supervisor at the credit union and one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My sincerest condolences to her loved ones.
Guestbook for
Phyllis Delvin