Date of Birth:
Thursday, December 9, 1948
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Age:
77 years old

Phyllis A. “PJ” Jameson

Phyllis Ann “PJ” Jameson, 77, of Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at Cottagewood Senior Communities, surrounded by her family.

Phyllis was born December 9, 1948, in St. Louis Park, MN, to Alfred and Lillian (Trowbridge) Briggs. She graduated from St. Margaret’s Academy for Girls in 1966. She attended St. Cloud State until she fell in love, and on April 19, 1968, she married Gerald “Curly” Jameson at Holy Family Church in St. Louis Park.

Phyllis was a devoted stay-at-home mom to her daughters, Marci and Vicki, until they started school. She then began a long career with IBM, starting part-time and eventually moving to full-time employment.

As a young girl, Phyllis always wanted a pony. As an adult, that dream became a reality when she purchased Katie, a Thoroughbred–Arabian cross. PJ later bred Katie, resulting in a stud colt named Solomon’s PJ; as a bottle baby, he and PJ were inseparable, and you could often find them napping together in the sun.

She was actively involved in everything her children did, including the Haverhill Boosters 4-H Club, Girl Scout Brownies, the Olmsted County Fair, and the Pine Island Riders Saddle Club. She always cheered us on at basketball and horse shows. Phyllis generously donated her time to the Rochester State Hospital, the Adaptive Riding Program, REM River Bluffs Inc., St. Francis Catholic Church, Earthwatch, and the Humane Society.

She loved planning things and did it flawlessly, right down to the smallest detail. Whether it was a home improvement project, a memorable party, or an epic family vacation, she put in tremendous effort to make each a huge success. Art was one of her greatest joys, and she loved any art project, especially when it involved her children, grandchildren, and other children, expressing her creativity through beautiful oil paintings and watercolors.

Ever the adventurer, Phyllis once traveled 6,500 miles alone to Tonga with Earthwatch. A natural teacher, she worked with the Tongan people to farm clams to help protect the species from extinction. Later in life, she discovered geocaching, a technology-assisted treasure hunt that combined hiking and GPS. Alongside Curly, she spent countless hours searching for hidden “caches,” and she thrived on inviting her children, grandchildren, and friends to join the fun—turning each outing into a shared adventure and lasting memory.

In 1993, PJ transferred to the IBM San Jose plant. After two years working and exploring California, the couple moved to Kimberling City, MO. They loved visits from their children and grandchildren. Time at Table Rock Lake created lifelong memories of fishing, fish fries, catching crawdads, snorkeling, hosting parties, and watching the Fourth of July fireworks from the boat.

Always ready for something new, the couple later traveled across the United States in an RV. They cherished the countless adventures in South Carolina and Minnesota, as well as summer trips with the grandkids. PJ even planned an extraordinary Canadian adventure to Nova Scotia. In 2010, they gave up RV life to settle in Bradenton, Florida. In 2020, their final move brought them back home to Rochester.

Phyllis’s love for animals was evident in her passion for attending adoption events and planning fundraisers for local shelters. Helping find homes for animals and raising money for their care meant the world to her. She adopted three cats from local shelters: Sunny, Borris, and Miles.

Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Curly; daughters Marci (Larry) Bamlet and Vicki Jameson; and granddaughters Shelby and Remi Sommerfield. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Spencer Sommerfield.

In accordance with Phyllis’s wishes, no services will be held. The family encourages you to celebrate her life in your own way. To view online condolences, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com. If you wish to honor her memory, please consider sharing a favorite story on the memorial page. Memorials may be directed to an Alzheimer’s organization, Paws and Claws, Camp Companion, or a charity of your choice in Phyllis’ honor.