Phyllis Brody

June 30, 1942 - November 17, 2025

Our beloved Phyllis passed away peacefully at home after succumbing to cancer. She was born in Brooklyn, NY to parents she adored and cherished, Herman and Gussie Kaplan. She was the oldest of their four children, and was a devoted daughter and sister (Lawrence [1945], Ann [2023], and Carl). She was married for 57 years to Stuart Brody, who she met at a Tito Puente dance at the Statler Hilton in Manhattan. They somehow made their “long distance romance” between Brooklyn and the Bronx work and he brought her a red rose on each of their dates. Their song, “More”, became her favorite; every time she heard it, she thought of her wedding day.

Phyllis lived by her values that family and close friends were the most important part of life. She was always grateful for the love and the life she had, and put everyone she met at ease with her gentle, accepting, warm and caring manner. She found joy in small moments every day. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy (Stu) and Cara (Noah), granddaughter Zoe June, sisters-in-law Marlene and Eileen, brother Carl, brother-in-law Jerry, as well as dear nieces, nephews, cousins and long-term friends. Her adored best friend and sister Annie predeceased her by 2 years.

Phyllis was a very humble yet quite talented artist, and she expressed her creativity in so many generous ways: she knit, crocheted, baked, and sketched her own gifts and often prepared thoughtful celebratory speeches for loved ones’ milestones. She was also a lucky contest winner, winning concert tickets for large groups, a trip to Costa Rica, and even a Jeep Cherokee. Her favorite winnings, however, seemed to be the ones earned from penny slots in Atlantic City, where she made friends on the bus; and at Jake’s 59, where she was a familiar and friendly face to her fellow slot machine enthusiasts. She was well liked by everyone around her, and loved to share stories about her past escapades. She enjoyed theater, concerts, dancing, shopping, game shows and procedurals, Danielle Steel novels, and cherished time with family.

She loved us all fiercely and freely, and we already sorely miss her smile, her laugh, her hugs, her unwavering warmth, support, enthusiasm, and affection. May her memory be a blessing for everyone fortunate enough to remember her.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK Giving).