Obituary of Phyllis Howell

Phyllis B. Howell, (86) of Delmar, NY passed away at home on May 14, 2019, surrounded by family; her caregiver and friend, Pamela Marshall; and her beloved dog, Bob. A memorial

service honoring her life will be held at the Delmar Presbyterian Church with Pastor Karen Pollan officiating on Wednesday, May 29 at 1:30 pm.

Phyllis was born in Cincinnati, OH on October 4, 1932 to John and Freda Blake. She graduated from Bronxville HS in Hartsdale, NY and received a BA degree in History from Wheaton College in 1954. Phyllis met her husband of 55 years, Edward Howell, while in college, and they married in 1955 and moved to Arlington, VA, where she worked as a journalist until she had her first child. The couple moved to Syracuse, NY, where their second child was born. Phyllis and Ted moved to Delmar, NY in 1962, and shortly thereafter their third child was born. Having an unwavering love and commitment to the Delmar community, Phyllis belonged to numerous volunteer clubs over the 60 years she was a resident. When her children were young, she volunteered at the Cerebral Palsy Center, tutored children at Elsmere Elementary and Bethlehem Central Middle School, was a Boy Scout and Brownie leader for three different troops/dens, volunteered for FISH transportation (Friends in Service Helping), served as a  board member of the Bethlehem Historical Association, and was constantly knitting mittens for those in need. Phyllis also ran the volunteer luncheon project at the Albany Institute of History and Art for two years. For more than 20 years she was an avid volunteer, field instructor, and community supporter of the Five Rivers Environmental Center. At the time of her death, she was the longest standing member of the Delmar Progress club, having joined in 1964. She was also an active member of the Bethlehem Garden Club, the Bethlehem Historical Society, Delmar Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem Library Book Club, Normanside Country Club, and played bridge on a regular basis. Up until two weeks before her passing, she was working on yet another quilt for “Project Smile.”

Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Howell, and sisters, Barbara Blake and Marjorie Blake Noyes. She is survived by her three children; John Howell (Pam), Barbara H. Rector, Elizabeth Mulligan (Andrew), her six grandchildren; Blake (Lisa) & Gregory Howell; Ariana & Skye Rector; Blake & Cole Mulligan, her niece and nephew, and her best friend Bob.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Friends of Five Rivers on her behalf.