Phyllis Joy Szekely

Phyllis Joy Szekely, age 89 of Oregon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Hospice of Northwest Ohio-Toledo on Friday, April 19, 2024. Phyllis was born to Theodore and Rosamond (Gilbert) Keefer on August 26, 1934, in Walbridge, Ohio. She graduated from Olney High School and went on to work as a clerk for several railroads, retiring from Conrail in 1996.

Phyllis is survived by her loving husband Glenn; children Gail L. Keaton, Dale L. (James) Tebbe, and Dean P. (Noi) Worthington; grandchildren Michael J. Haynes, James M. Tebbe, Madison G. Tebbe, and Alexandra P. Worthington; great-grandsons Trenton and Michael "Will"; brother Gilbert “Butch” (Gail) Keefer and sister JaNell Christian. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Dane F. Worthington, and sister Korinne Pasqualone.

Phyllis was a caregiver at heart and the heart of her family. She had immense responsibility at an early age through the thin war years and she never shirked or complained of any of the lifelong responsibilities she shouldered. As she always said, “You just do what you gotta do.”

As a newly divorced single mom in the early 60’s, she both worked and made her family feel secure and safe despite great financial difficulty. She made each one of her children feel seen and special.

When her son Dane was diagnosed with schizophrenia, she not only cared for Dane, but in true form also expanded her mission to become highly involved in NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, helping other families navigate the difficult terrain of finding support for their loved ones.

Phyllis loved to be around people who made her laugh, and she wasn’t complete without her family around her. Her giggle was infectious. She loved to experience new people and places, from the Amish Country in Ohio to the history and landscape of England. She was an excellent needlecrafter and a fantastic cook. She made ridiculous amounts of food for any gathering, and it would take her a week to plan and prepare any holiday menu.

Perhaps her highest accomplishment was marrying Glenn, who became not only an excellent husband, helpmate, and partner to her, but became a beloved father to her children and later a doting grandfather and great grandfather. He adopted Gail, Dale, Dane, and Dean at their own request.

Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her biggest joys in life, and she was most in her element as a loving “Grammy” and “Mimi.” She lived vicariously through them and cheered them on through their successes and commiserated with them over their disappointments in her later years from her recliner.

She will be sorely missed by all who loved her.

A private graveside service was held at Lake Township Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Freck Funeral Chapel. The family would like to thank the caring staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their loving and excellent care for Phyllis. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The New Life Assembly of God in Oregon, OH or a memorial gift in Phyllis’ memory can be made to the Hospice of Northwest Ohio.