Phyllis Lynn Yonet Steinhart

Phyllis Lynn Yonet Steinhart was born on September 27, 1940 in Houston, Texas to Isidore and Jennie Yonet, and passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026. She will be greatly missed by the countless friends and family members who loved and adored her.

Phyllis was an only child but was part of a tight-knit extended family and she grew up surrounded by close relatives who lived nearby. Always the embodiment of friendliness and warmth, dozens of childhood friends remained close to her throughout her life.

The Yonets were active members of Congregation Emanu El in Houston where Phyllis was consecrated and educated in her Jewish faith.

Growing up, Phyllis’s magnetic and warm personality attracted a large collection of friends. As a child, she gained the nickname “Lulu” based on her resemblance to the classic cartoon character “Little Lulu.”

She attended San Jacinto High School in Houston before furthering her academics at The University of Texas at Austin where she was a member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Many of the girls she met through SDT would become lifelong friends. It was a recurring theme throughout her life: Once you met Phyllis and became her friend, you would remain her friend for life.

It was at college where she met her future soulmate Ronald Steinhart. Yet they did not start dating until they both moved to Dallas following their college years in Austin. Working as a medical technologist in Dallas, Phyllis reconnected with Ron and the relationship would bloom into a wonderful romance that lasted the rest of her life. They would be married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1965.

Less than four years later, the family quickly expanded with the birth of three sons including a set of twins. Phyllis was a loving and active mother. She was a constant participant in school programs and, while channeling her tomboy childhood into a leadership role as an adult, she even served as coach for the boys’ soccer teams.

Phyllis was active in the community for her adopted hometown of Dallas supporting civic activities and the arts as President, with Ron, of 500, Inc. A woman of great compassion, she volunteered for 15 years at Parkland Hospital where she assisted with hearing tests for newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Phyllis also served on the Advisory Council of the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at UT Austin. A member of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas for decades, she was an active participant in its Sisterhood organization and volunteered for the National Council of Jewish Women. Phyllis, along with Ron, has been an ardent supporter and generous donor to many worthy organizations.

Spending time with her many close friends was a favorite pastime. Whether traveling on vacations or simply enjoying a good Tex-Mex meal and margaritas with girlfriends, Phyllis valued the time she spent with her many pals.

Perhaps nothing brought more joy to Phyllis than the arrival of her five grandchildren. She loved those kids so much and gladly spoiled them whenever possible. It was a true blessing that she was able to see all of them grow into outstanding young adults who loved their Mama Phyllis with all their hearts.

Phyllis was a true matriarch for her family, relatives and friends. For decades, she was the official family hostess as she cherished the chance to welcome them into her home year after year for holiday gatherings.

For a large portion of her adult life, Phyllis faced medical adversity. She bravely fought off several serious maladies and all the while, she remained the steadfast pillar for her family. Her courage and resilience was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Phyllis and Ron recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on February 14, 2026. Though ailing, Phyllis gamely joined her husband and all three sons, plus one grandson, to commemorate the event over dinner at her home. It was a treasured gathering not so different from similar meals that had taken place thousands of times over the past several decades.

Phyllis is survived by her loving and devoted husband Ron; her sons David Steinhart, Kenneth Steinhart and Barry and wife Meredith Steinhart; her grandchildren Jared Steinhart, Will Steinhart, Matthew Steinhart, Meg Steinhart and Luke Steinhart; her brother-in-law Richard and wife Valorie Steinhart; as well as a host of cousins, nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly and will miss her beyond comprehension.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 13th at 2:30pm in the Olan Sanctuary at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Rd, Dallas, Texas.

The family asks that memorials in lieu of flowers be made to Temple Emanu-El (www.tedallas.org/give), UT Southwestern Medical Center (engage.utsouthwestern.edu/give) or to a charity of your choosing.