“I am Phyllis’s daughter-in-law of 40 years and have known her 45+ years.
First let me say thank you Phyllis and Paul for raising such a kind, loving, smart and handsome son. Rick is a great husband and father. I lost both my parents 30 years ago and Paul and Phyllis stepped right in to make me their own.  There are so many stories I could share but that would take way too long.  They took me to Disney for the first time.  We would spend Memorial day at Myrtle beach.  While the guys played golf, us girls went shopping which Phyllis loved to do!  Her love for cats has passed on down to her granddaughters. My oldest Hannah would foster kittens from the local SPCA until they could find forever homes.  My youngest Haley has her own pretty kitty who is really a giant black teddy bear and very vocal. Phyllis loved animals and has taken some of the most amazing pictures I have ever seen.  She always had a beautiful smile too.  She was a kind person and always seemed to find a friend wherever she went.  Her love for music has also trickled down to her sons and her grandkids.  She loved the Homosassa State Park where she volunteered and I loved that she shared that with us each time we were here visiting.  We had some great times visiting the park especially at Christmas time.  She was our own personal tour guide!  So a funny story I will share is on one trip visiting we went to the Park and she had been working some in the snake house.  I am scared to death of snakes!!! I can see her now smiling as she walked us through the door.  For me it was a nightmare but thinking back now it just makes me smile thinking about it.  
I shared a lot of firsts with Phyllis. First time to Disney, first time seeing Hollywood beach, first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner on my own, first time seeing a manatee. The list goes on and on.  
I know she is an angel now watching over us and in heaven with her loving husband and parents.  
Thanks Mom for taking me under your wing. 
Love Denise”

I will always remember you as a fun loving, fantastic laugher-even when you were hiding behind the camera lens.  Your volunteer work at Homosassa made a positive impact on the lives of our staff, other volunteers and of course-the animals.  I'm a better person, because I spent time with you.  -from your forever friend- Marla Liane Chancey-Assistant Park Manager Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. 

There are so many fond memories I have of Phyllis, going all the way back to my early childhood.    She began my passion for Himalayan kitties when she fostered them;  loved to visit with her as a child and play with the kittens.   She also began my love for the piano as she was my first piano teacher.   We shared the passion of wildlife photography and even traveled together,  along with Mom (Barbara), to Wild Eyes Photo Adventures in 2000.   In addition to photographing many species of wildlife,  she was so thrilled to hold and play with a baby leopard.    

Later in life I so enjoyed visiting her when Mom and Lori  came to stay with me in Florida.   We always had so much fun laughing and sharing the delicious lunches Phyllis would prepare for us.   And as you can tell we enjoyed taking silly selfies together!  

We will miss you terribly dear friend, but know that you are dancing and singing in Heaven with the Angels! 

My gram was a loving, independent, and beautiful woman. Her love for family, friends, animals, and God were infinite. Her soul and spirit live on through the love she offered to all those around her. Every Christmas, birthday, or other special occasion - no matter if we were celebrating together or if we hadn’t chatted in a while - she would send me the most beautiful card, gift, and always an angel. I cherish those ornaments and pendants dearly, and I know that she is with those angels now, smiling down on all of us and looking after us.
Gram was thoughtful, friendly, and had a great sense of humor. She could strike up conversation with anyone anywhere, whether it was catching up with her granddaughters, a longtime friend, or chatting with a neighbor in the grocery line. She taught me that everyone has a story and that our stories are meant to be shared with each other.
As we celebrate her life and the kindness that she modeled for us, I think fondly on some of the moments we shared. Visiting her in Florida was always an exciting excursion, enjoying theme parks, nature parks, and beaches together. In childhood, I remember her impromptu piano lessons and watching a favorite movie together like Jesus Christ Superstar or Beauty and the Beast. Later in life, she took up wildlife photography and would always send her most inspiring snapshots of manatees, wolves, and birds. I will miss the many dinners we shared together, often enjoying her famous spaghetti preparations or watching her playfully fight my parents to cover the check at a fancy restaurant. In the evenings, she would share with my sister and me what she called her guiltiest pleasure – some chocolate chips mixed with whipped cream. She was as sweet as her sweet tooth. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. 
-From Haley, granddaughter.

Phyllis is my sister and I love her and am missing her greatly.

She was my ‘big’ sister as 10 years separated us. As a child, I called her “Sissy”, later she became “Sis”. I still remember the immense feeling of pride when she lavished praise on me for being able to cut a straight line on a paper cutting project I had in kindergarten! 

My sister married young and started her family right away.  I remember our Dad lamenting she left our house too early! He wished he could have had her home just a little bit longer. Now I feel the same way, I wish we could have had her here a little bit longer.

Memories of get togethers at Thanksgivings, Christmas’, and in the last five years fun vacation time visits come to mind.  She loved us and we loved her.  Now I take comfort in knowing that she is in heaven with husband Paul, our parents, and all the extended families; I picture in my mind the welcome she receives as she puts on an apron and joins the ladies in the kitchen fixing up something good while the guys are watching football.  

I especially cherish how our love matured and grew deeper the older we got. Our last words were “I love you” and “I love you, too”.

I love you, Sis.


Phyllis was my sister-in-law for a number of years.  She was an amazing person who was always upbeat and kind.  She had a positive outlook no matter what life threw her way.  I had the good fortune of seeing her a few years ago and it was like we had never been apart.  We were mutual animal lovers - cats for her and dogs for me.  Her cats brought her much joy and comfort over the years.  

It is sad to see her go but I know she is in a better place and is with many loved ones who predeceased her.  My thoughts and prayer are with the family.  

OBITUARY

Phyllis Irene Konitshek

28 January, 1940 – 8 October, 2022

Wilder Funeral Home

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