Phyllis Joy Johnson

Phyllis Joy Johnson was born April 16, 1947 in Bay Shore, New York to Helen and Phil Johnson and sister Karol Ann Johnson Collins. In 1952 the family moved to a farm in Kenton, Delaware (later called the Diamond J. Potato Farm) near Dover. Phyllis attended a three room elementary school in Kenton, Delaware then attended junior and senior high school in Smyrna. Phyllis graduated from John Bassett Moore High School in 1965. She began her college career at Adelphi University in New York. She married John R. Hahn in the spring of 1966. While residing in Dover, Delaware, she studied secretarial skills at Wesley College, later teaching there and eventually relocated to Inverness, Florida. While visiting Janet and Tim in Guam, Phyllis met her second husband, Leo Glennon. Following Guam, they moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina. While in North Carolina, Phyllis began her master’s program at the University of North Carolina. She graduated and worked as an adjunct professor at UNC. In the early 80s, Leo and Phyllis, along with Leo's sons, Art and Leo Glennon, moved to Tampa, Florida which became her forever home city. While in Tampa, Phyllis worked for the Sewer and Water Department (retiring at the age of 55), volunteered countless hours with her social sorority and donated gallons of blood and apheresis. A self-taught handy woman, Phyllis worked to restore three houses in Tampa, her last being in Hyde Park. Any challenge Phyllis faced was met with a mindset to learn and conquer, be it carpentry projects, flying (she has her pilot's license), golf, real estate (she earned her broker license), crafts (learning stain glass and sewing), traveling (she visited countless countries) or fighting cancer.

She joined Beta Sigma Phi in 1982, and was President of Tampa City Council 1991-1992. While President, she reactivated Preceptor Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi which was originally chartered on May 5, 1965, but had disbanded due to low membership. For that achievement, she was named Preceptor Iota President, Tampa City Council Woman of the Year, and Overall Florida State Woman of the Year 1991-1992. She served on the Advisory Board for the council since 1992, as well as President of Preceptor Iota and Gamma Gamma Master Chapters several times. She was a charter member of Gamma Gamma Master formed in 2010. She co-chaired two Florida State Conventions in Tampa. The Taste of Tampa in 2008 and The Roaring 20’s Theme in 2015. She had attained the Order of Rose for 15 years membership, and Silver Circle for 25 years membership. She presently held the highest degree in Beta Sigma Phi of Torchbearer. Phyllis also belonged to Tampa Bay Newcomers since 2008 and she was an active member and served as President in 2013. Phyllis's smile could light any room, and her infectious laugh will forever be cherished by all who knew her. Her impact will forever live on through the lifelong connections and friendships she has made around the world. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Phyllis is survived by her sister, Karol Ann Johnson Collins (Earl) of Dover, Delaware. Her nieces Sandra A. Collins of Springfield, Massachusetts and Amy Collins of Dover, Delaware as well as two grand nephews, Alexander and Marcello Agnitti both in Massachusetts. Her god-daughter Brandi Nowakowski (Bernie) and their sons, Bret and Brock, as well as countless cousins, including a special one, Adrienne Johnson and her family from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Phyllis leaves her two four legged girls, Molly and Lilly as well as many dear friends, including her Beta Sigma Phi sisters, best friend Tammy Delbruegge of High Ridge, Missouri, and her special friend Bob Ransford of Parrish, Florida.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Phil and Helen Johnson, her favorite aunt, Ruth Muller, her nephew-in-law Allen Agnitti, her best friend Janet Paskey Brown as well as the love of her life, Bill Pearce.

The one last wish Phyllis had was to be home. With the help of her hospice team as well as her "four gals", Brandi, Tammy, Adrienne and Sandra, Phyllis was able to spend the last week of her life at home surrounded by her dogs, photos, sunlight, flowers, and love. On the behalf of Phyllis, the "four gals" express their deepest gratitude to the friends and caregivers who supported them and Phyllis on this last journey of her life.

A celebration of life for Phyllis will be held Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Blount and Curry Life Event Center, 605 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phyllis' memory may be made to Humane Society of Tampa Bay, SPCA Tampa Bay, WEDU PBS, Tampa Theatre, and Beta Sigma Phi International, PO Box 8500, Kansas City, Missouri 64114.