Obituary of Phyllis Fletcher
Phyllis Fletcher, 82, died December 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon, with her daughters by her side. We will remember Phyllis as a wonderful mother and friend to so many. She had a unique ability to connect with people and will be remembered most for her kind, loving heart.
She was born Phyllis Hartig in Detroit, Michigan on October 25, 1939 to Arnold and Leila Hartig. She grew up with three brothers, Robert, Richard and Thomas Hartig. Phyllis’ love of being social and active was honed during her childhood years in Dearborn, MI. She played golf and kept pace with her three brothers.
After graduating high school, Phyllis attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduated with a degree in Psychology, and enjoyed time with her sorority sisters at Chi Omega. She moved to Chicago, Illinois after college and landed a position at Time Magazine. It was in Chicago that she met Stephen Fletcher whom she married in 1964.
Phyllis and Steve eventually moved to Delmar, New York and raised two daughters, Sue and Barb. Both daughters remember the custom birthday cakes, shopping trips to New York City, her presence in the stands of their sporting events, and everything else Phyllis would do to support and celebrate them. It was in Delmar that Phyllis put down roots and developed an extensive network of friends. She volunteered at school, Albany Panhellenic Association, Welcome Wagon, Girl Scouts and Garden Club. If there was need for organizing and contributing time, Phyllis was first to sign up.
In addition to friends from the neighborhood and volunteering, Phyllis had another group of friends who knew her as an athlete. She walked, bowled, canoed and played golf, but her greatest love was tennis. Phyllis competed and medaled in tennis doubles at the Empire State Senior Games in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and was invited to play tennis at the Governor’s mansion in Albany. She also competed in the National Senior Sports Classic VI in Tucson, Arizona.
Everyone who knew Phyllis described her as a warm, caring person whose smile lit up the room.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Steve, parents Arnold and Leila and brothers, Robert, Richard and Tom. She is survived by her daughter Susan of Portland, Oregon (Tim Belden), daughter Barb (Todd Franklin), grandchildren Jackson and Lila, and granddogs Sammy and Tilly. An immediate service is not scheduled but plans are underway to honor Phyllis later in the year. Donations may be made to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness or Alzheimer’s Association of America.
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