Obituary for Mrs. Phyllis A. Howard Selfless, humble, faith-filled and powerful: Phyllis Arlene Howard (née Potter) is being remembered by her family and friends as a quiet giant who always gave freely and unflinchingly of herself. Phyllis passed away at the age of 90 on September 25 in Muskegon, surrounded by the love of her three children and the wonderful care teams of Chestnut Fields and Hospice of Michigan. A lifelong Muskegon resident, Phyllis was the daughter of Edith and George Potter.
A phenomenal swimmer, she was one of the first female lifeguards to work on Lake Michigan, a job not open to women until World War II. After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1948, she went to work for her brother, Floyd Potter, at Potter’s Lamps & Lights in Muskegon Heights. Phyllis loved customer service and received incredible satisfaction from serving others.
She worked at Potter’s Lamps for all of its 65 years in business, eventually purchasing the store from her brother. She became a well-known and well-respected matriarch in the close-knit and family-focused lighting industry. Phyllis adored her family and would do anything for her three children, their spouses, her eight grandchildren or her nine great-grandchildren.
She had no greater pleasure than supporting her family. Quiet and conservative by nature, she could be a force when necessary. She believed in – and practiced – unconditional love.
Phyllis always knew what to say and could make anyone feel at ease. She handled situations – and people – with grace and dignity, never complaining or blaming. She gravitated to those who needed her most, giving freely of herself.
She had a particular soft spot for junior high kids, serving as a Methodist Youth Fellowship leader for 11 years. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her children, Larry (Char) Howard, Rick (Patricia) Howard and Cheryl Coutchie (Matt) Wansten; grandchildren, Ashley (Joel) Schnotala, Sarah Edwards, Scott (Andi) Dreier, Jess (Chris) Randall, Fritz Coutchie, Katie Coutchie, Kyl Wansten and Lexie Wansten; and her nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, I. Ralph Howard.
The family will welcome visitors at 11AM on Saturday, September 29 at the Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. 49441, 231-759-8565 with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, Hospice of Michigan or the Viking Scholarship Fund.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Phyllis A. Howard please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , SEP 29. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The Walburn Chapel 1547 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI, US, 49441 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Phyllis’ Visitation begins. Celebration of Life , SEP 29. 12:00 PM The Walburn Chapel 1547 W. Sherman Blvd.
Muskegon, MI, US, 49441 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before Phyllis’ Celebration of Life begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
