Biography of Phyllis Maud Wyatt: A Legacy of Resilience, Education, and Love

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Phyllis Maud Wyatt was born on February 2, 1935, to Wilfred and Eva Wyatt. She was the fifth of nine children and faced hardship early in life, becoming orphaned at a young age. Despite not having the opportunity to pursue advanced academics, Phyllis valued education deeply and made it a cornerstone of her life’s mission.

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A Dedicated Mother and Advocate for Education

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Phyllis was the proud mother of nine children, six of whom survive her. Though life brought many challenges and sacrifices, she worked tirelessly to ensure her children received a solid education. She raised them to be respectful, responsible, and productive citizens, instilling in them the values of hard work and perseverance.

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Despite facing personal hardships and heartache, Phyllis never gave up. Life was not always a "bed of roses," but her beautiful smile and resilient spirit never wavered.

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Journey to the United States and a Life of Service

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In 1981, Phyllis migrated to the United States, settling in Chicago, Illinois. She filed for all but one of her children (who was already residing in Canada) to join her in America. Before migrating, Phyllis was known in her Jamaican community for her generosity, always sharing what little she had with others in need.

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In Chicago, she initially worked in live-in domestic roles but soon secured a position at Presbyterian Nursing Home in Evanston, Illinois, where she worked for over 30 years. Phyllis was an exemplary  employee — never late and never missing a day of work — a testament to her strong work ethic and dedication.

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Upon her retirement, she returned to her beloved homeland, Jamaica, where her passion for education continued to shine.

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A Legacy of Education and Giving Back

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Although she had no formal education herself, Phyllis made it her life's work to promote education for others. She personally supported the schooling of many children in Jamaica, believing that knowledge was the key to a better future.

At the time of her death at 88 years old, Phyllis was still financially supporting the education of a young girl. Her unwavering belief in the power of education inspired the founding of the P.M.W. International Educational Rescue Foundation, dedicated to continuing her mission of empowering future generations through education.​