Phyllis Ziff Alltmont

Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose life was defined by service, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to the people and community she loved.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Jack Alltmont; her sons, Jeffrey Alltmont (Rachel), and Michael Alltmont (Ava); and her cherished grandchildren, Jacob, Sydney, Hannah, Tatum, and Evie, who were a constant source of pride and joy. She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn Kullman (Paul), and her sister-in-law, Marylynn Alltmont (Charles, z”l); as well as nieces, great-nieces and nephews, and an incredible circle of friends who were family in every sense of the word.

Phyllis graduated from Tulane University and began her professional life as a high school English teacher at Grace King High School. She later spent more than 45 years at Gentry’s, where she became a trusted advisor, personal shopper, and an informal and free “therapist” to generations of New Orleanians who valued her honesty and care.

A lifelong leader and volunteer, Phyllis lived a life of service, always seeking ways to strengthen her community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. She served in numerous leadership roles, including President and officer of the Newman Parents Association, President of Touro Synagogue, and President of the Jewish Community Center. She also chaired a Breast Center campaign for the Touro Infirmary Foundation, among many other contributions that reflected her deep commitment to helping others.

Phyllis was known for her extraordinary generosity, deep devotion to her family and friends, and a sense of humor and honesty that were truly unmatched. She had a rare ability to live with both strength and compassion, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In a life defined by care for others, Phyllis was, in her final chapter, surrounded by an exceptional team of caregivers who reflected those same values. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the medical, hospice and in-home professionals who provided extraordinary care with dignity, compassion, and genuine humanity.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, with a reception to follow. A private family graveside service will be held at Hebrew Rest Cemetery III. The memorial service can also be live streamed by using the following link. After clicking on the link, please choose “Main Sanctuary”- https://tourosynagogue.com/livestream/

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Touro Synagogue, Second Harvest Food Bank or Touro Infirmary allowing Phyllis’s memory to continue impacting the community she so dearly loved.