Phyllis Elaine Harman

Phyllis Elaine Harman, 81, of Arlington Heights was born on November 19, 1944, to the late James and Florence (nee Coduto) Picardi in Chicago and passed away on January 25, 2026, with family by her side. Phyllis was the beloved wife for over 53 years to Lawrence James Harman; loving mother to Carla (Michael) Johns and Caryn (Mike) Neumann; fond grandmother to Portia Johns, Piper Johns, Jade Neumann, Simone Neumann, and Josie Johns; dear sister to Charles (Patsy) Picardi, her twin sister Janice Picardi, and the late Anita Kamin; fond aunt to many nieces and nephews and a cherished sister-in-law. She will be missed dearly.

Phyllis was small but mighty, a woman whose warmth, spirituality, and energy filled every room she entered. Known for her contagious smile, hearty laugh, and gift for truly listening, Phyllis had a remarkable way of making people feel seen and special. Despite a lung cancer diagnosis in 2007, Phyllis refused to let illness define her. She lived fully, stayed hopeful, pursued new treatments, and remained characteristically positive and adventurous.

Raised on Chicago’s West Side, Phyllis was deeply proud of her Italian heritage and her large extended family. She graduated from Providence High School in 1963. Following a calling to religious life, she joined the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, where she formed lifelong friendships that she considered family.

In 1972, she married her loving husband, Larry. Phyllis devoted her life to education, service, and faith-based leadership. She earned a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and taught at both the grade school & high school level. She served as Director of Religious Education at St. Colette and St. Thomas Becket parishes, coordinated adult Christian initiation programs, and worked as a librarian. Her extensive volunteer work included starting a peer jury program for teens, coaching volleyball & softball, Girl Scout Troop leader, and chaplaincy for the village police department.

For 19 years, Phyllis served as a hospital chaplain at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, retiring in 2024. She was especially drawn to the fast-paced environment of the emergency department and created meaningful programs to support patients, families, and staff, including a prayer garden and prayer blanket ministry. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Phyllis was beyond excited to be a Cubs usher for 10 years and treasured moments such as throwing out the first pitch at a 2011 game and witnessing the Cubs’ World Series victory in 2016.

Above all, relationships mattered most to Phyllis. She was a devoted mother to her two daughters and cherished her favorite role as “Nana” to her five precious granddaughters, traveling any distance to be present for them and create special memories. Two of her greatest joys was taking them to St. Mary-of-the-Woods for summer horseback riding camp and France in 2019 to visit Mother Theodore Guerin’s hometown.

She will be remembered as generous and spunky, quick to start or join the fun, deeply grateful, full of love and charm, and an uplifting presence who made a lasting mark on everyone she met. Phyllis’ light will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. A short prayer service will start at 4:00 PM on February 5 at the funeral home, visitation will continue after Service.

A Celebration of Life with eulogies will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026, starting at noon at Rolling Green Country Club, 2525 E. Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL.