Phyllis Frankel (April 8, 1934 to July 14, 2021)

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of longtime member Phyllis Frankel’s death. Phyllis was 87. Our mothers were sisters. She was fourteen years older, the first born of my generation of cousins, and like a light on the road of my life, she led my way first to Hastings and then to the Literature Club.

Whatever Phyllis did, she did well. She was our Recording Secretary for years; her minutes were beautifully detailed. Her presentations were thoughtfully done. We all so enjoyed being in her home when she hosted.

Phyllis grew up in Peekskill and Mount Vernon. She went to Buffalo State Teacher’s College, received two master’s degrees from Hunter College, the first in teaching, and the other, to prepare for her second career, in speech pathology. She married Benjamin Frankel in 1959; their daughters, Faith, Rachel and Eleanor, were all born in the sixties. She and Ben were pleasantly surprised when their 3 girls presented them with 6 grandsons. A granddaughter was born between grandsons four and five, but too late to continue the run of three generations of being the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter. Phyllis was the last. We thought of her as the family matriarch.

Phyllis was one of the founders of Temple Beth Shalom and served as president. She was active in the PTSA and the League of Women Voters.

She had a well-lived life.

- Fran Greenberg