Phyllis Clair (Monette) Baij

Munising

Phyllis Clair Baij, age 86 of Munising, died Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Jericho House in Munising. She was born in 1933 in Munising to Alexander “Herman” Monette and Ellen Maki. She grew up between there and Deerton with her brother, Art, and sisters, Gerry and Arlene.  She married Harry “Hans” Baij in 1952 and raised three children with him. Phyllis went back for her diploma and graduated from Mather High in 1968.

She was the City of Munising’s Meter Maid for 8 years and owned and operated Taylor’s Cleaners for a number of years. She had a fun time establishing The Gift Station at the corner of Superior and Cedar with her friend Ron Miron and her sisters, but her favorite job was working with her friends Dick and JoAnn Carlson at the Big C Realty for almost 25 years.

Phyllis played golf and any type of cards, especially bridge and Skip-bo. She could be commonly seen on her scooter at top speed along with her lifelong friend, Charlene Belfry. When her sight was good, she was an excellent seamstress and loved adding to her garden. She often baked: pies, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin cookies, everything. In the nine years Phyllis was there, her neighbors at the Jericho House became some of the best friends she ever had. Her best time was spent with her grandchildren; she loved every moment.

Phyl gave good advice, if you knew how to take it. She knew just the way to tell a story. She lived a long, rich life and she (and her sisters) could be “a handful,” so there’s plenty to tell. Storytelling’s a talent she passed down, so that we can tell all the tales she gave us.

She leaves behind three children, Hans (Jo Ann) Baij of Felch, Juli Ake of Munising, and Perry (Lisa) Baij of Wetmore. Eight grandchildren, Karin, Brett (Karen), Janssen (Amber) Baij, Jesse (Jessie), Rikki (Jason) Ake, Hailee (Stan), Kori and Jared Baij, and 16 great-grandchildren. A sister Ann Donato and brother Jack Saari of Ishpeming. A sister-in-law Kinky Werner and brother in law Dick Froberg of Munising. Her extended family at the Jericho House.

Gone but not forgotten: Her husband, parents, sisters Geraldine (Bill) Mazzali and Arlene Froberg, her brother Arthur Monette, sisters in law Mary (Bud) Resky, Isabelle (Leo) Rick, Ethel (Floyd) St.Amour, Niama (Curly) Moote, son in law Rick Ake, and infant great-grandson Baby Boy Ake.

No public service is planned at this time.