Phyllis Marie Mackie

Phyllis Marie Mackie, nee Caruso, 73, of Arlington, VA, passed away on March 29, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born to parents Rita Maria Caruso, nee Cianfrani, and Frank H. Caruso, on July 29, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA. In 1955 Phyllis moved to Ferndale, MI with her family. Growing up she was an accomplished clarinet player and played on the tennis team. She went on to study history and graduate from Western Michigan University in 1968 before continuing on to Wayne State where she received her master’s in education. After college graduation, Phyllis moved back to Ferndale and started teaching history at Milford High School in Milford, MI where she also went on to coach the softball and ski teams. While teaching there she met Paul Mackie and they were married in Ferndale, Michigan on December 23, 1972. Paul and Phyllis eventually moved to Milford, MI, and had a daughter, Lindsay, in 1985. Phyllis continued to teach and coach at Milford High School until she moved with her family to Burke, Virginia in 1986. In 1992 Phyllis took a 5th grade teaching position at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in Washington, DC where she worked as a beloved teacher for 21 years until her retirement in 2014. Phyllis was an avid golfer and won several tournaments and events at Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, VA. Outside of her time spent in the classroom or on the golf course she enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, reading, spending time with her family and friends, and visiting her parents in Naples, FL and aunts, uncles and cousins in Philadelphia, PA. Phyllis was a devoted and loving mother and is survived by her only child, Lindsay Mackie Hiserman, and son-in-law, Brett Hiserman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul James Mackie; her mother, Rita Caruso; and, her father, Frank Caruso. A Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:30 am at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 1:00 pm at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 5300 10th St N, Arlington, VA. The Graveside Service will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery, 626 Baily Rd, Yeadon, PA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Phyllis’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association.