Saundra Phyllis Waldon Lerwick of Coventry, NY, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024 at the age of 86.
She was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Mary Waldon and sister, Denise Oliver.
Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Oscar Lerwick, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Paul Kluge (Skaneateles); son, Russell Lerwick (Coventry); brother, Jon Mark Waldon ( Andover); and extended family and cherished friends.
Phyllis was born in NYC on May 26th, 1937. Phyllis’s family moved to Smithville Center, from Valhalla, NY, in 1945. Phyllis attended Greene Central School and upon graduating from GCS in 1955, went on to get her nursing degree from Wilson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1958. Phyllis’s first job would be at the hospital in Sidney, where she would work for several years.
In 1969 she would start her 30+ year career at Harpursville Central School, as their School Nurse. During this time and after countless summer and evening classes, Phyllis would receive her BS Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta in 1971 and then her Masters Degree in Education from SUNY Cortland in 1974. She would now continue her role as HCS’s School Nurse Teacher.
The highlight of her nursing career would be in August of 1980, when Phyllis would receive her certification as a Nurse Practitioner in Pediatrics from SUNY Upstate Medical in Syracuse.
Phyllis married Oscar Jr. on October 4th, 1958 and they moved to the farm on Wylie Horton Road, where they would live for the next 65 years. She loved living on their 137 acre farm. She loved all the animals and the surrounding wildlife. She truly loved the springtime and her flowers, especially her pansies and lily of the valley. She also loved having friends and family over to the farm, including many Christmas Eves and special Valentine’s Day teas.
Phyllis was the Coventry Town Historian and served on the Coventry Town Board for many years. Phyllis was a board member on the Town of Coventry Cemetery Association, and for 17 years, Phyllis would be a part of the summer medical staff at the NYS Adirondack Asthma Camp in Old Forge, NY.
Phyllis was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister and friend. She touched many lives and she will be dearly missed.
A Memorial Mass, followed by a luncheon, will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday May 25th at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1180 State Highway 206, Greene, NY 13778.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Coventry EMS, 109 North Rd, Greene, NY 13778
Arrangements are under the direction of Root Funeral Home, Greene, NY.