Obituary for Phyllis Steel THE CASEY FAMILY IS HONORED TO BE ASSISTING AND CARING FOR THE FAMILY OF PHYLLIS STEEL SOUTHINGTON – Phyllis Lynnete (Gerner) Steel, age 98, passed away on Sunday April 29 2018 at The Orchards in Southington. She was born on July 4, 1919, the daughter and only child of the late George and Elsie (Anshutz) Gerner. Phyllis graduated from Meriden High School in 1936, received a bachelor’s degree from Beaver College (Arcadia) in 1940 and did advanced studies in learning disabilities at Central Connecticut State College.
She taught kindergarten at Israel Putnam and Roger Sherman Schools in Meriden, St Margaret’s (McTernan/Chase) in Waterbury, and 27 years at Bunker Hill School in Waterbury. In 1943, Phyllis married Allan Steel and was married 44 years before his passing in 1987. They were an active couple in square dancing, badminton, swimming, tennis and raising their three children.
One of her favorite memories was the three months she and Allan spent in Egypt as part of the International Service Corporation where Allan did engineering consultation. After retiring, Phyllis became a devoted volunteer at Pomperaug Elementary School and Long Meadow School in Southbury. Phyllis was named Southbury volunteer of the year and continued volunteer work with the schools until the age of 91.
She always felt she got more than she gave, and she maintained her friendships when she moved from Southbury to Southington. At the Orchards she continued to volunteer. For over 60 years, Phyllis was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury.
She was an enthusiastic member of many committees and particularly loved working on the scholarship committee. She also was a 30 year breast cancer survivor. Phyllis is survived by her three children: Martha Lynn Ladisky and her husband, Richard of Farmington; Pamela Steel of Boston; and her son, Dr. Scott Steel and his wife, Gai of Springville, Tennessee.
She also leaves behind five grandchildren: Jeffery Sean Space and his wife, Annie; Angela Space-Goicoechea and her husband, Jose; Mark Space and his wife, Juanita; Kimon Tsinteris; and Ion Tsinteris and his wife, Pamela, as well as six great grandchildren: Nicol Space-Munoz, Sofia Space-Munoz, Edward Space, Andrew Space, Tess Tsinteris and Irena Tsinteris. A memorial service for Phyllis will be held at First Congregational Church at a later date when her family can all be present. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home, in Waterbury is assisting the family with arrangements.
Those wishing to honor Phyllis’s memory might consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society or the charity of their choice. To extend online expressions of sympathy to the family or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at www. eastsidememorial.com.
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