Phyllis Marlene Edwards

   Our mom, Phyllis Marlene (Yarno) Edwards, 81, of Boise, Idaho, died peacefully in the presence of her son Blake and his wife Jennifer on Friday, June 28, 2024. She was born on November 19, 1942, in Phoenix, Arizona, the third child of Frieda (Bower) and Frank Yarno. Her parents were involved in the tent evangelist movement, and they helped plant churches in Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and eventually settled in Idaho.

   Mom’s early life revolved around the Emmett Bible Hall, where she met her lifelong friends, Liz and Millie. Mom's childhood home was attached to the church, and she frequently played the piano for church services in Emmett and when the family visited other church assemblies. Her fondest childhood memory was regularly bringing her dad a sandwich with extra cheese while he worked on their car, preparing for another family road trip to visit out of state church assemblies. Her father was her role model, and she mirrored his quiet strength and thunderous faith as she bravely fought battles both personal and familial throughout her life. Living in an iron lung for several months, she defeated polio at the age of 7, and her tireless exercising improved her gait and posture so much so that only family and close friends knew about it.

   After high school, she met our dad, Robert O. Edwards, at work, KBOI Channel 2, and they married in November of 1966. Wanting to be home with her young children, she taught kindergarten beside her mom for a few years, and then opened her own in-house daycare, creating a warm home filled with friends for us and herself – meeting her dear friend Kaaren through babysitting her children, Bennett, Symone, and Jani. When our neighbor (a well-known and respected attorney) took mom to court, alleging her in-home daycare caused a nuisance in the neighborhood, our shy mom courageously stood up. With Kaaren’s help, our mom won, and her day-care continued to thrive.

   Weekends were for family; mom and her older sister, Audrey, would cut coupons, can fruits and vegetables, bake, work on Sunday School plans, and compile packing lists for our annual family summer vacations to Silver Creek Plunge and occasional vacations to visit their absolutely favorite Aunt Margaret in Portland, Oregon. Those special trips to Aunt Margaret’s house were mom’s special haven; us kids would sleep in, Aunt Margaret would cook up delicious breakfasts for mom and Audrey, and they’d giggle like schoolgirls for the entire weekend.

   After our father (her husband) died suddenly of a heart attack in ‘82, she reinvented herself, taking classes at Links School of Business, graduating with a 4.0, and with her friend Kaaren’s encouragement, became a legal secretary at the age of 40. Several years later, mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she heroically won that battle. She and her childhood bestie, Liz, attended Treasure Valley Bible Church together for most of her adult years and went on countless trips together. A passionate sports fan, she loved cheering on races at the Meridian Speedway, and fanning over Ian Johnson and all things Boise State Football. But she was most radiant while rooting for her son playing basketball at the old Emmett High School during his junior and senior year and celebrating with a Whimpy Burger afterwards at Roe Ann’s.

   Later in life, she relished sitting beside her cherished grandchildren, encouraging them to build the highest block tower possible, or holding their hands at the Boise Zoo and catching them at the bottom of the giraffe slide. In addition to her sister, Audrey, mom had a very special bond with her brother, Rick and wife Marilyn, and their children, Melissa (and Sam) and Josh, along with her nephew Sean and wife Olga, and their girls, Anya and Emma, nephew Lawrence and his wife, Tammy, nephew James, and numerous Bible Hall saints, including the Bushby, Dunbar, Brown, and Lynn families.

   She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Frank and Barry, her beloved nephew Bruce, and her long-adored childhood church friend Millie.

   She is survived by her daughter, Michele Edwards Trovato; and her children, Nicholas, Arielle, and John; her son Robert Blake Edwards and wife Jennifer; and their children, Samantha and Caden.

  Our mom was as tall and beautiful as the legacy of her indomitable faith. Special thanks to Meridian Meadows Memory Care staff for your generous care of our mom.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

   A Viewing will be held 11:00 – 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Potter Funeral Chapel, Emmett, ID.

   Interment will follow at the Emmett Cemetery, Emmett, ID.

Use this link to view Phyllis's Remember Page: https://my.gather.app/remember/marlene-edwards-2024

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phyllis Marlene Edwards, please visit our floral store.