Missing you Mom on this day and always!!!   Trying to keep your spirit alive in my heart because your attitude toward family, friends and life was always the best!!   Love you forever and always!!

1. Remembering you today on your birthday and always!!  Missing you!!

my deepest sympathy and love on the loss of Phyllis. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. I have a fond memory of going out to dinner with she, Kris, and some dear friends to Yia Yia's restaurant in Stl. She was so lovely. I'm very happy I had that opportunity to be with her and get to know her a little better, one on one.

Love & miss you always, Coolio

Phyllis loved to travel with her friends and family!  I have fond memories of her taking each grandchild on a special trip of their choice when they turned 10 years old.  My two children Tyler and Kara chose to take a trip with her to New York.  What a special treat it was to explore the city , see Broadway shows, shop and visit with their Aunt Kate and Uncle Dirk!   It was  very special for them to spend this individual time with her!  She was always interested in their unique personalities and interests and her devotion to their lives and her love was a blessing!!  She also loved getting the family together for reunions and was the sponsor of many wonderful trips where all the family and cousins could converge and keep in touch.  Her love and devotion to family was unequaled!   Another wonderful memory of my mother was that I was able to travel with her all around France by train while I was attending a semester at  the American College in Paris during my junior year in college.   We had a wonderful time exploring towns and eating wonderful food and her French (which was much better than mine) got us through many situations!  Always the great adventurer... it was the highlight of my time there.  Later in her life I was also able to go on a final cruise with her on a smaller ship which she could navigate with her cane.  We traveled through the Great Lakes starting in Chicago and ending in Canada!  These were all amazing times and wonderful memories to cherish!  Thank you to the best mother and friend a daughter could have!!

My favorite time with Phillis was when she taught Rich and I how to play Mahjong with the ladies at her new home. She was such an inspiration to witness how she loved life at every chapter. I also loved having the opportunity to sit and talk with Phillis about spirituality. Once she told me she was looking forward to going on her biggest adventure yet. When i asked where she was planning to go, she answered “ heaven!”  I loved her adventurous spirit and how she could savor the moment. I feel so blessed to have had time to visit throughout the years and that she gave me the best gift- my friendship with her sweet daughter Kris! 

Phyllis arrived at our convent in the mid 1990's seeking a place to learn more about meditation and contemplation, and so to deepen her relationship with her loving God. Her enthusiasm was contagious and immediate friendships were formed that lasted over the many years since then.

She joined our lay Associates who participate in our life of prayer and ministry and study, but do not make vows or live in community. Eventually though her desire to continue her growth led her to join in living with us as a Partner in Mission for four years. She ministered with us in our Spirituality Center during those years as she shared daily prayer, study, community living and the development of her contemplative practice.  What a gift she was to many!

Phyllis was a special gift to me, and our friendship grew over the years as we shared deeply our lives, our joys, our struggles and our shared ministry of counseling and presence to those who needed support and a listening ear. 

Phyllis also shared her great love of travel with me and tried her best to get me to travel more! That didn't happen, but the trips we did share are precious memories.

Thank you, Phyllis, for the way you enriched my life with your love and faithful friendship! You will be ever in my heart!

❤️