Phyllis Geraldine Durst, nee Pawlus, 86, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2022, with her daughter by her side. She was preceded in death by her loving husband James Durst and her parents Joseph Pawlus and Bernice Pawlus Schlenz. She is survived by her daughter; Deborah (John) Mallory her David Durst, her grandchildren; Chase Mallory and Cara Mallory and her sisters; Mariann Kopren and Donna (Paul Scavone) Pawlus. She also has a faithful Labrador; Colt. Phyllis went to St. Tarcissus grammar school and won many trophies for golf and bowling. She was an avid skier and ballroom dancer. She had the little-known talent of accordion player. Phyllis worked at Bell and Howell for 10 years as a private secretary. She appeared in many of their print ads as she was a real stunner! She loved to travel, and it was on
Windjammer cruise to the Bahamas with girlfriends that she met the captain and love of her life with whom she was happily married for 53 years. After moving to Florida, she was a regular on the tennis courts both competing and playing for the love of the game. Phyllis worked at the Sportrooms Racquetball Club and held secretarial positions at Kidder Peabody Securities and Merrill Lynch. She was a member of the Plantation Orchid Society and has held various board positions as she was involved in the club for 25 years. Her orchid collection at one count cultivated 700 beauties. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the American Lung Association. Private services to be held in Clearwater Fl at Sylvan Abbey on August 21, 2022. A celebration of life is being planned in October in plantation.
A visitation for Phyllis will be held Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759. Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Durst family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18