Phyllis Josephine Dienes

Phyllis Josephine Giosa Dienes who lived in Redlands for over 58 years, passed away on November 4, 2022 at home with her daughter by her side. She was 99 years old. She was a little over a month short of her 100th birthday.

Born on December 12, 1922 to Ralph and Josephine Giosa, she was raised in the Chicago area of Illinois. During WWII she was a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ on the production line of C-54 Skymaster cargo plane at Orchard Place in Chicago, Illinois (now O’Hare International Airport). After the war ended, Phyllis worked in Guam and Okinawa as a civilian for the US Army. She met her future husband, Fredrick, while in Okinawa. She and Fredrick married and had one daughter, Fredricka. Phyllis worked at various military bases for 33 years, retiring in 1989 from Norton Air Force Base (now San Bernardino International Airport).

Phyllis was a loving and devoted Mother. She opened her heart and home to those in need. She adored cats and dogs and was ‘Ma’ to many fur babies. She loved to travel. She sailed on 22 cruises to varied ports of call both domestic and internationally and she always enjoyed a trip to a casino with her beloved friends. She was always ready for a new adventure. Her enthusiastic and positive approach to life prevailed throughout her life.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Fredricka Dienes, her nieces and nephews, David Rose, Jeanette Bell, Mary Jo Farrell, Anne Watson, and Anthony Williams and many great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews and a great great great niece. She is also survived by her dear beloved friends, Doris Butler, Mary Hernandez and Dolores Thayer.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jennifer, and her siblings, Mary Rose, Bud (Louis) Giosa, and Dolores Williams.

Services will be held on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 at 11:00am at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Avenue, Redlands, followed by burial at Hillside Memorial Park.

Those who wish may donate in her name to the Redlands Animal Shelter.