Phyllis H Baldwin

Phyllis was born on January 30 1919 in Oneida, N.Y. to Edwin and Myrtle Harmon. An excellent student, Phyllis was Salutatorian of her high school senior class and on the starting five of the varsity basketball team. She graduated from Cortland Normal School (now SUNY Cortland) in June, 1940 and began teaching 1st grade in Spencerport, N.Y.

Phyllis married Keith in March, 1942 and together they lived in Rochester, N.Y.; Jackson Heights, N.Y.; Elkhart, In; Closter, N.J.; Winchester, Ma; and Sun City West, AZ. She substituted in the school system in Closter, N.J. as her children were growing up and also taught in Sunday school. Phyllis was a master of the flannel graph telling Easter and other stories.

After moving to Winchester, Ma in 1959, Phyllis became very involved with the United Church of Christ (Congregational Church). She was a full time volunteer for 26 years in the local church – 20 of those years at the state level with the Massachusetts Conference, UCC and 16 years at the National level. She served on various boards and committees, Boards of Directors, at all levels, led workshops, directed campaigns for funds, chaired the national nominating committee, taught a couple of U.C.C. polity classes at Andover Newton Theological Seminary and spoke in over 300 churches in Massachusetts and throughout New England.

Phyllis and Keith visited Indian Reservations in North and South Dakota in 1971 and 1973 and much of her speaking was on behalf of the Indian people there. Phyllis was honored twice by the Council for American Indian Ministry and the Massachusetts Conference, U.C.C. for her work there.

Phyllis and her husband moved to Sun City West in October,1985. While still able she walked 4 miles five times a week. She also volunteered at a food bank, walked for hunger, and continued her active volunteer church activities. She made raisins from locally grown grapes she picked and made orange juice from trees in her yard.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her two children, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a future date at Desert Palms Presbyterian Church in Sun City West and will be live streamed at that time (www.desertpalmschurch.org).