Phyllis J Pierce

Condolences to the entire Pierce family. Phyllis was Tutu to not just her own grandchildren, but to an entire extended family as well. I was brought into the family by proxy, with my sister marrying one of Tutu's children, John. Phyllis made sure everyone was welcome in her home, treating everyone who entered her home as family. Its difficult to imagine what an impact she had on so many lives. Respectful, full of grace, and endearing to all. While I'm sure she will be sorely missed by the Pierce family directly, she will be missed by her large extended family, myself included. God called one of his own home, since he needed her there. Her work here done, we take solace in the many memories she created for family and friends over the years. God Bless!

For most kids, leaving school for summer vacation means that their parents are the main adults looking over them for the summer months. This was not true for kids like me that spent their summers at Belvidere Park at Lake Geneva during the 1960’s and 70’s. For us, our mom’s watched out for us, but so did our mom’s “pier group”. These were the mom’s that spent their days hanging out on the pier, enjoying the company of each other, but also watching out for each other’s kids and overseeing the goings-on around the park. I best remember Phyllis as just a sweetheart of a member of this group. Quiet and patient but smart and fun, she was an anchor of my time as a teenager growing up at the lake. I am so grateful that Phyllis was one of those great women who was there on that pier when I was growing up! During that time I learned a lot about the ice skating lives of Laura, Kathy and John. Skating was such a big part of their lives, and Larry and Phyllis were so committed to this! It was so much fun to watch these kids, who were younger than me, who had such commitment to and success in skating. It was a family affair, for sure! Next I remember the time of Millie’s Pancake House. I remember Phyllis, who was a teacher, basically re-inventing herself into a person who was leading this complex attraction of restaurant and shopping. During that time, we went there to eat often, and grew very fond of something that I think was called “smearecase and apple butter”. My family sold our house at the lake after I finished college and moved to Boston, so I did not see any of the Pierces for many years. Over the past several years I have made a few visits back to the lake, and I have been focused on each of those visits, to try to see Larry and Phyllis. On several visits, I did not succeed in arriving when they were there. But last fall, after letting them know in advance that I was coming, they came down and I got to see them. We had a lovely evening including Chinese take out for dinner. I am so very grateful that this happened! It was so nice to have the chance to talk with Phyllis about her memories of my mom, especially, and also of me and my brothers. I am so sorry to all of you for the loss of Phyllis; a truly lovely person! Dawn Nelson

Dear Larry, My deepest condolences to you and your family. Phyllis was a lovely and remarkable lady. I will always hold close to my heart the memories of wonderful times we shared at Polynesian Shores in Maui. Aloha Donna Marks

Aloha Condolences Blessings Prayers from your West Maui Adopted Clans... Erin, Rose, Catherine Kaki, David & Others...

So very sorry for your loss. Phyllis was such a beautiful and compassionate woman, and I will always have fond memories of her. Sandy Pelc