Phyllis Jeanne Driver passed away at home surrounded by family on November 30, 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Born on October 28, 1948 in Wichita, Kansas, Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Donald Heckathorn (father) and Frances Heckathorn (mother). She is survived by Ronald (Ronnie) Driver, husband of 25 years, sons Robert Cooper (Jen), Burien, WA and Michael Cooper, Mountlake Terrace, WA; stepchildren Douglas Driver (Nicole), Raleigh, NC and Amy Driver, Washington, DC, grandchildren Isabel and Gillian Cooper of Wilmington, NC, step grandchildren Ryan and Madeline Driver, Raleigh, NC, Miles Hinson, Burien, WA. Brothers, Donald Heckathorn, Jr. (Jasjit), Norfolk, MA and Dr. Douglas Heckathorn (Susan), Ithaca, NY.
Phyllis practiced medicine for 37 years as a Physician's Assistant after graduating from Touro College in New York City in 1980. She had as varied a career as one sees in medicine. Having the responsibility of raising 2 young sons in the city, she found a way to put herself through medical school, often trading her woodworking skills as trade for babysitters showing her determination and imagination to address adversity. She practiced in many of the hospitals in the Bronx, NY in emergency rooms and mental health services. She practiced in a community clinic in Queens, NY and performed house calls to provide service to the elderly in Queens, to those who could not venture outside the home. She was highly respected in the medical field in New York for her intelligence and ability to be the calming presence during the stress and chaos that was often present in the emergency medical world.
Leaving New York Phyllis worked on the AIDS project in Washington, DC and ventured further, landing in Raleigh, NC where she found that her and her sons could call this area home. Her love of medicine allowed her to run the first mobile health clinic for the homeless for Wake County, provide medical care for the Alcohol and drug rehab center for Wake county, provide medical services at the Raleigh Womens Health center simultaneously while maintaining a stable home for the boys. Phyllis also provided medical care and mental health services at Cherry Hospital, Goldsboro, NC.
Having met and married the love of her life, Ronnie Driver, she started to build a life most dream of. The only challenge she ever had to medicine was her love of animals and nature. Leaving Raleigh Phyllis and Ronnie built a small farm in Fuquay where she was often found surrounded by her various animals while playing outside. With a whimsical spirit she left her presence at every turn and all who were fortunate to know her knew it well. She will be missed by many peers, family and friends.
The family request that condolences for Phyllis be in the form of donations to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Ln., Raleigh, NC, 27603 in her name. The service was private. The Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC handled the arrangements and the family hopes you will visit their website and leave your messages and thoughts on Phyllis Driver page.
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Jeanette Hill (Safarik)
Fuquay-Varina
Phyllis Jeanne Driver passed away at home surrounded by family on November 30, 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Born on October 28, 1948 in Wichita, Kansas, Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Donald Heckathorn (father) and Frances Heckathorn (mother). She is survived by Ronald (Ronnie) Driver, husband of 25 years, sons Robert Cooper (Jen), Burien, WA and Michael Cooper, Mountlake Terrace, WA; stepchildren Douglas Driver (Nicole), Raleigh, NC and Amy Driver, Washington, DC, grandchildren Isabel and Gillian Cooper of Wilmington, NC, step grandchildren Ryan and Madeline Driver, Raleigh, NC, Miles Hinson, Burien, WA. Brothers, Donald Heckathorn, Jr. (Jasjit), Norfolk, MA and Dr. Douglas Heckathorn (Susan), Ithaca, NY.
Phyllis practiced medicine for 37 years as a Physician's Assistant after graduating from Touro College in New York City in 1980. She had as varied a career as one sees in medicine. Having the responsibility of raising 2 young sons in the city, she found a way to put herself through medical school, often trading her woodworking skills as trade for babysitters showing her determination and imagination to address adversity. She practiced in many of the hospitals in the Bronx, NY in emergency rooms and mental health services. She practiced in a community clinic in Queens, NY and performed house calls to provide service to the elderly in Queens, to those who could not venture outside the home. She was highly respected in the medical field in New York for her intelligence and ability to be the calming presence during the stress and chaos that was often present in the emergency medical world.
Leaving New York Phyllis worked on the AIDS project in Washington, DC and ventured further, landing in Raleigh, NC where she found that her and her sons could call this area home. Her love of medicine allowed her to run the first mobile health clinic for the homeless for Wake County, provide medical care for the Alcohol and drug rehab center for Wake county, provide medical services at the Raleigh Womens Health center simultaneously while maintaining a stable home for the boys. Phyllis also provided medical care and mental health services at Cherry Hospital, Goldsboro, NC.
Having met and married the love of her life, Ronnie Driver, she started to build a life most dream of. The only challenge she ever had to medicine was her love of animals and nature. Leaving Raleigh Phyllis and Ronnie built a small farm in Fuquay where she was often found surrounded by her various animals while playing outside. With a whimsical spirit she left her presence at every turn and all who were fortunate to know her knew it well. She will be missed by many peers, family and friends.
The family request that condolences for Phyllis be in the form of donations to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Ln., Raleigh, NC, 27603 in her name. The service was private. The Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC handled the arrangements and the family hopes you will visit their website and leave your messages and thoughts on Phyllis Driver page.