Phyllis Anne Orsi

Phyllis Orsi (October 30, 1930 – June 5, 2016) was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and has been a resident of Sun City, AZ since 1993. She became the founding President of RISE (Rio Institute of Senior Education) in 1996 and subsequently worked with that organization in many capacities. She served on many boards throughout the West Valley including chairing the advisory board of the American Cancer Society in 1996-97 and being elected to the Sun City Library Board in 2003-04. Phyllis has volunteered at ASU West Hospice Family Care, Arrowhead Hospital and the American Red Cross, creating and implementing innovative programs.

As a breast cancer survivor she felt her mission was to counsel women, and started “Reaching Out”, which is an American Cancer Society support group for women with breast cancer, at Arrowhead Hospital in January 1996. She facilitated the group for 5 years before turning it over to another facilitator.

Among her contributions to the community was her work with the West Valley Community Theater in 2000, which she brought into the family of the West Valley Art Museum. Phyllis authored a play, Maternal Choice, which met with success and was their first production

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Phyllis used her talents to create computer generated logos and brochures for several organizations, including RISE, Arrowhead Hospital’s Woman’s Advisory Council, Westbrook Village Helping Hands, Peace Lutheran Church, West Valley Community Theater and Sun City’s Authors Association. She also published many articles and essays. Regrettably, recent poor health had made in necessary for Phyllis to withdraw from her previous activities.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Tom and her son Donnelly and his wife Nancy, grandson Robert James, and her daughter Andrea Jill Thomas and her husband Ronald Thomas of Wadsworth, IL. In addition she leaves three step-children Marian Orsi, Tommy (Diane) Orsi, and Dan Orsi, two grandsons Nick (Julia) Orsi of Portsmouth, NH, Anthony (Jessica) Orsi, and one great-granddaughter Lia Orsi of North Aurora, IL.

Memorial service to be held at a later date.