Friday November 25, 2022 at the age of 89. Beloved daughter of the late Isaac and Edith Lee; loving sister of Carl (Deirdre)Lee and the late Bernard Lee: loving Auntie Moi to Heather Lee Matalon (Mayer) and Simone Lee Burrowes (Warren) and great Auntie to Jake Burrowes.
Phyllis was born and raised catholic in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. She moved to the USA in 1955 and was proud to later become a naturalized American citizen. She received her BSN at St. Louis University. While at the University she met and was welcomed into the family of Ruth and Vern Olson. As was said many times by Phyllis, she became the Olson’s “non-relative relative.” Phyllis was the “adopted” aunt to the Olson’s children: Judy, Nancy, Sue, and Steve and later was Godmother to Sue and Wes Lopez’s daughters Amy and Annie. Sue in later years served as caregiver for Phyllis.
Phyllis spent her life helping others. After earning her Nursing Degree, she was Nursing Service Administrator at Firmin Desloge Hospital. She was responsible for opening the David P. Wohl Memorial Mental Institute nursing department in 1963 and later was Associate Director Wohl Nursing Service. Phyllis moved on to the University of Missouri – St. Louis campus to become Coordinator of the Student Health Center and retired from the Evangelical Children’s Home where she served as Head Nurse. As Phyllis said, “my career was my life and I admit to being a workaholic.” Phyllis in early years got a dog so she would have to go home. That began her love for dogs that continued until her death.
Phyllis was a devout Catholic and was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Church (63143). Phyllis’s devotion to her Jamaican and St Louis families, her church, her community, and her amazing circle of friends was a guiding force in her life.
Phyllis continues her service to others by donating her body to St Louis University School of Medicine so others will continue to learn. As per Phyllis’s request a celebration of life will be held later. Contact Kutis Funeral Home in Affton (314)842-4458 if interested in attending.
A special thank you to the staff at Cape Albeon Assisted Living and to Pathways Hospice. The love you gave Phyllis could truly be felt all around her.
Gifts may be made in Phyllis’s memory to the Humane Society of Missouri. Gifts may be made online (https://www.hsmo.org) or sent to the Humane Society of Missouri, Attn: Donations, 1201 Macklin Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Phyllis a beautiful person who achieved and contributed so much to society throughout life,
now a beautiful soul in heaven.
Phyllis will be dearly missed but the memories will live on and on.
Phyliss was an amazing aunt to us all, I am thankful to have had such an addition to my life. You are remembered fondly and with that light laugh and smile on your face.
Auntie Moi never missed an occasion to send a card – NYE, Valentines Day, Birthday, Easter, Just because, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Summer holidays – everything.
Her house had all these storage containers labelled with a different people’s names and inside were things she was collecting throughout the year to give them as presents.
She loved dogs and when we called would want to know about what they were up to just as much as what we were up to. Right up to the very end, she could easily hold a 45 mins call with you on the phone.
She will be missed.
I would be grateful if you would forward this message onto Phyllis’s family known to us as “Pinky”Lee…My mom LolaJean Schierholt Reigelsperger was a dear friend to Pinky. Pinky went to nursing school with my aunt Susan Zartman and I believe my Aunt Mary Lou Schierholt. I had talked to Pinky approximately two years ago and she wanted to send back some family photos that she had of us all. Would be grateful to continue this conversation with a family member to see if that is still possible. What a wonderful person she was! My condolences to you all. Thank you, Nancy Martin, Tucson, AZ