Phyllis was born on April 2, 1945 in Athens, Ohio to William Hughes and Genevieve Cusick Hughes. She was the youngest of four children. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1963 and moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the FBI. Her two sons, Robert and William (Greg), were born there.
Phyllis and her family moved to the Kansas City area in 1978, where she worked for Catholic Charities for over 30 years. She had many hobbies and interests, including bowling, playing games and cards, doing puzzles, gambling, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Everyone who knew her loved (and sometimes made fun of) her laugh.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents William Hughes and Genevieve Cusick Hughes, and brothers Gary, George (Connie), and John (Karen) Hughes.
She is survived by her children Rob (Janel) and Greg (Jennifer) Bowen, grandchildren April (Paul) Rodriguez, Aaron Bowen, Peyton Bowen, and Tanner Harden, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.