Phyllis passed away peacefully in her home on January 25th, 2017. Phyllis (Nicki) was born to Pete and Thelma Miano in Wheatland, California. Together with her brother Melvin (Bud) Miano the family relocated to Los Banos, California. Phyllis attended Los Banos Schools and graduated from West Side Union High School in 1934. She received her teaching credential at San Jose State College. Her first job was teaching in Bakersfield, California. In 1941 she married Frank Brayton and they moved to Escalon, California. She taught at Dent Elementary School in Escalon as a long term substitute teacher for two years, and subsequently accepted a job at Escalon High School and taught Business Education. After 30 years of teaching she retired in 1983. Frank and Phyllis built their current residence in 1950. Together, they pioneered the development of the Siberian Husky. Their first three dogs, Dingo, Echo, and Gouda, were purchased in 1946 and were the inspiration for the name of their kennel, “Dichoda Kennels”. Their hobby and love for the Siberian Husky was passionate. In 1967, they owned the top winning Siberian Husky in the United States, “Yukon Red”.
Phyllis applied for approval to judge Siberian Huskies and Samoyed’s at American Kennel Club shows. She was approved and traveled to judge in many states as well as British Columbia, Alaska, Argentina and Italy twice. She held every office in the Siberian Husky Club of America, was a long time Honorary Life Member, and served over a decade as Chair of Judges Education. She was among the most sought after Specialty Breeder judges. Phyllis also held affiliates with the Escalonian Chapter No. 447 Order of the Eastern Star and the American Association of University Women. (AAUW) Phyllis was a devoted wife and mother. Frank was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis early in life. As Frank struggled with the disease, Phyllis stood steadfast with her support and care. Frank passed away in 1975 at the age of 61. She is survived by her two sons Bill and Bob (Linda) Brayton, her six grandchildren: Zachary (Mikiya) Brayton, Amy (James) Holloway, Sadie Brayton, Zebullan (Bethany) Brayton, Ross (Maddison) Brayton, and Kaitlyn Brayton. She also leaves behind five wonderful great grandchildren, and longtime family friend Patricia Brayton and Rob Iverson. There will be a graveside memorial service held at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E. River Road, Escalon, on Friday, February 3rd at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at the Azores Band Hall at 1436 First Street, Escalon, California. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in Phyllis’s name to Escalon Community Ambulance, P.O. Box 212, Escalon, Calif. 95320 and Modesto Community Hospice Foundation, 4368 Spyres Way Modesto, Calif. 95356.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 1, 2017