Obituary of Phyllis Raiter

Phyllis Raiter, the daughter of Emmett and Phyllis McGreevy, was born in Huntington, Indiana in 1925. She was the big sister to her three siblings and was always called "Sissy" by her family. The family eventually settled in Marion, Indiana which Phyllis considered her hometown. During Phyllis' childhood her father owned a candy company. The "Phyleen" nut clusters of vanilla & maple were named after her. In 1943 Phyllis moved to El Paso, Texas to live with her aunt and attend the College of Mines & Metallurgy (now UTEP). On New Year's Eve she met a handsome officer named Warren Raiter. They were married on October 3, 1944. After Warren finished his service, they settled in Van Nuys, CA where they raised their three children. During that time Phyllis was a tireless volunteer in all her children's schools. In 1969 Phyllis began her working career with Bank of America. She retired in 1988 as an Assistant Vice President/Preferred Banker. In 1984 Phyllis and Warren relocated to Santa Barbara. During that time Phyllis continued her community involvement. Phyllis was an excellent bridge player, an avid reader, and history buff with an incredible memory. She loved genealogy and proved the link for Warren's family to the American Revolution. Phyllis and Warren did lots of travelling to Europe, but especially loved the trips to Washington DC, Boston, Disneyland, etc., that they took with their granddaughters. Phyllis and Warren's love of dancing continued throughout their entire marriage. Phyllis was afraid of cats and was always grateful that her friends kept their cats far away from her. Phyllis was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She will be greatly missed, but left wonderful memories for all who knew her. Phyllis died peacefully on March 17, 2014. She was predeceased by Warren, her husband of 68 years. She is survived by her sister Marcia Roach of Spring Hill, FL, her daughter Robyn Smith and son Chris Raiter of Santa Barbara, and her son Rick Raiter (Maripat) of Boston. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kristy (Eric), Laura, Sita, and Colin, her great-granddaughters Kylie, Sydney, Phebe, and Isa, and many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to celebrate Phyllis' life on her birthday, June 28th, at 12:00. Lunch will follow. Please join us at 5256 Austin Road, Santa Barbara 93111. Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary