Phyllis Burrows Shenkman

Phyllis was born on July 5, 1947, and many a 4th of July celebration turned into a birthday celebration. An only child of David and Helen Burrows, Phyllis was an extrovert who never met a stranger. She was active in Zakkai B’nai B’rith Girls and was a 1964 graduate of Coral Gables High School and maintained strong friendships throughout her life through both of those.

She met Philip as a student at the University of Florida, where she earned her degree in Education. The two married on Dec. 28, 1968, and lived for two years in Germany, where Phil was stationed with the U.S. Army and their first daughter, Jennifer, was born. Upon returning to Miami and raising a toddler, Phyllis found a niche as a tutor out of her house. Over 17 years, she helped countless students who were struggling in school or needed to prepare for their SATs and adults who were wanting to learn English.

Phyllis and Phil had two more children, Melissa and Howard, and Phyllis went on to serve several years as president of the Winston Park Elementary School PTA. Once her children were preteens and teenagers and after many years of being asked to by principals and teachers around South Florida, Phyllis began teaching outside of her home at Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach and then the Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach.

Her passions were entertaining, art, music, dancing, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and kvelling about her five grandsons.

She is survived by her husband, Philip Shenkman, her daughters Melissa Shenkman Diaz (Angel) and Jennifer Audette (Scott), son Howard Shenkman, and grandsons Victor, Joshua, Giovanni, Jaxon, and Devyn. She is predeceased by her parents David and Helen Burrows.

The funeral and burial will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at Mt. Nebo Kendall Memorial Gardens, 5900 S.W. 77th Ave., Miami. Donations in Phyllis’ memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Shiva will follow the funeral service.