Phyllis Markgraf Sczesnak

Phyllis Sczesnak was born on July 5, 1929, in Glen Cove, NY, to Marc Gilmore Markgraf and Louise Markgraf (née Ashburner), and educated at Sea Cliff High School and the State University of Long Island, NY Agriculture and Technical Institute at Farmingdale. She earned her M.A. in social work at St John’s University, Queens, NY, in 1979.

She lived for over sixty years in her beloved Sea Cliff, NY with her high school sweetheart, Edward, who she married in 1951. “Phe,” as she was affectionately known, was a fixture in community life, active in Junior League, Cub Scouts, the PTA, the Junior Guild, and the Women’s Auxiliary. She worked as a dental hygienist and as an alcohol and substance counselor for the American Postal Workers Union Local 1022 in Queens. In later years she worked as a docent at the Sea Cliff Village Museum; age 91 saw her holding down a part-time clerk position at the nearby Sea Cliff Library. She was an avid reader, music lover, film buff, opera-goer, and NPR listener who will, along with much else, be fondly remembered for “toddy time,” her daily libation ritual that began promptly each evening at 5:30 PM.

In addition to her son (Nikki Uri), survivors include a daughter, Kathryn Sedgwick; six grandchildren, Alexander Moyer (Victoria, née Behar), Amelia, Andrew, David, Elizabeth, and Jillian; a great-grandson, Jacob; and many other family members and friends who loved her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her husband, who died in 2008, and three siblings.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life for later in 2024 and will announce details when available.